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.
References
Cernak, T., Dykstra, K. D., Tyagarajan, S., Vachal, R. & Krska, S. W. Chem. Soc. Rev. 45, 546–576 (2016).
Friis, S. D., Johansson, M. J. & Ackermann L. Nat. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-0475-7 (2020).
Schönherr, H. & Cernak, T. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 12256–12267 (2013).
Sambiagio, C. et al. Chem. Soc. Rev. 47, 6603–6743 (2018).
Santanilla, A. B. et al. Science 347, 49–53 (2015).
Graczyk, K., Haven, T. & Ackermann, L. Chem. Eur. J. 21, 8812–8815 (2015).
Shang, R., Ilies, L. & Nakamura, E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 138, 10132–10135 (2016).
Gandeepan, P. et al. Chem. Rev. 119, 2192–2452 (2019).
Collins, K. D. & Glorius, F. Nat. Chem. 5, 597–601 (2013).
Georg, G. I. et al. Bioorganic Med. Chem. Lett. 4, 1825–1830 (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wencel-Delord, J. Decorating and diversifying drugs. Nat. Chem. 12, 505–506 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-0479-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-020-0479-3
- Springer Nature Limited