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SYNTHETIC METHODOLOGY

Decorating and diversifying drugs

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The direct conversion of lead compounds into potentially more potent derivatives, through selective functionalization, could help to speed up the discovery of drug candidates. Now, a method has been reported that enables the late-stage C–H methylation of complex drug-like molecules, using a sustainable cobalt-based catalyst.

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Fig. 1: Late-stage methylation for medicinal chemistry.

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Correspondence to Joanna Wencel-Delord.

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Wencel-Delord, J. Decorating and diversifying drugs. Nat. Chem. 12, 505–506 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-0479-3

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