Copper Could Be Key To The Development Of Medicine And Optoelectronics

In a paper published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the scientists explain that their proposed technique allows them to perform so-called cross-coupling reactions, in which two molecules are joined by a carbon-carbon bond. This is one of the most widely used types of reactions and is crucial to the manufacture of most chemical products used today.

Using copper as a catalyst for cross-coupling reactions is a breakthrough in sustainability, as such reactions typically rely on the use of precious metals such as palladium, the researchers said.

The new approach is also thought to be advantageous because the copper metal in the molecular catalyst absorbs blue light on its own, without the need for separate light-absorbing compounds in addition to the catalyst. This makes synthesis not only cheaper and simpler, but also easier to control because there are fewer moving parts.

Blue light plays a key role in activating copper-based catalysts. Theoretical calculations show that this light exposure causes electrons to move from metallic copper atoms to a connected subunit of the molecular catalyst. This excited state separates the charge and makes the catalyst more reactive, so the researchers were able to use it for cross-coupling reactions to form acyl groups, useful for synthesizing drugs and optoelectronic materials.

A key aspect of this method is the asymmetric formation of acyl groups. This means that one of the two possible mirror versions of the product molecule is selectively produced, a highly desirable property for new drug development.

The implementation of this new approach promises both cost savings and increased sustainability in the production of a wide range of compounds with potential uses in medicine and electronics.

Yusuke Masuda, lead author of the study, said in a media statement: "This synthetic method is a breakthrough because it combines two readily available substances, blue LED lights and copper, to achieve a coupling reaction that did not exist before. The technology to produce useful compounds from the earth's abundant resources is essential for the sustainable development of mankind. I expect this development to be a milestone in the development of sustainable molecular synthesis methods.