Scientists develop new concepts about the shape and dynamic nature of molecules

Embargoed until 1600 GMT on Monday 13 March 2023

2023-03-13

(Press-News.org) -With pictures-

Scientists have demonstrated in a new study that carbon-based molecules can be much more dynamic than previously thought.

When a carbon atom forms four bonds to different groups, the molecule can exist in two mirror image forms. These mirror image forms are vital in medicine because they have different biological activities.

Usually, it is impossible to interconvert between these ‘enantiomers’ because to do so would require a bond to be broken, a process that needs too much energy.

The researchers from Durham University and the University of York demonstrated that if the chiral centre was part of a dynamic molecular cage structure, then a simple rearrangement of the cage could lead to inversion of the mirror image form of the molecule.

In this way, carbon-based stereochemistry, which is normally considered to be fixed and rigid, became dynamic, fluxional and responsive – a new paradigm in carbon-centred chirality.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

The molecular cage has nine carbons atoms in its structure, which are held together by a pair of carbon–carbon double bonds and a three-membered cyclopropane ring. This combination of bonds allows some of the bonds in the structure to trade places with one another spontaneously.

Project lead investigator, Dr Aisha Bismillah of Durham University, said: “Our dynamic carbon cages change their shape extremely quickly. They hop back and forth between their mirror image structures millions of times a second. Seeing them adapt to match changes in their environment is truly remarkable.”

Further to uncovering this unique dynamic form of stereochemical interconversion, the researchers demonstrated that the preferences of the cage could be transmitted to nearby metal centres, opening the possibility that this type of responsive chirality might find uses in catalysis, and the synthesis of chiral molecules for biomedical applications.

Reflecting on the way in which these results overturn established ideas, Dr Paul McGonigal of University of York, said: “The way our dynamic carbon cage interacts with other molecules and ions is fascinating. The cage adapts, giving the mirror-image structure with the ‘best fit’.

“We hope, in due course that this intriguing bonding concept will be found to apply in other contexts, and potentially used to underpin new applications for more dynamic molecular materials.”

The research has been funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Leverhulme Trust.

ENDS

Media Information

Dr Paul McGonigal from University of York/Durham University is available for interview and can be contacted on paul.mcgonigal@york.ac.uk.

Alternatively, please contact Durham University Communications Office for interview requests on communications.team@durham.ac.uk.

Pictures

Associated images and videos are available via the following link: https://bit.ly/mirror-image-molecule

Source Information

“Control of dynamic sp3-C stereochemistry”, (2023), Aisha N. Bismillah, Toby G. Johnson, Burhan A. Hussein, Andrew T. Turley, Promeet K. Saha, Ho Chi Wong, Juan A. Anguilar, Dmitry S. Yufit & Paul R. McGonigal, Nature Chemistry. www.doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01156-7

An embargoed copy of the paper is available from Durham University Communications Office. Please email communications.team@durham.ac.uk.

About Durham University

Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research based in historic Durham City in the UK.

We are a collegiate university committed to inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham and in the world.

We conduct boundary-breaking research that improves lives globally and we are ranked as a world top 100 university with an international reputation in research and education (QS World University Rankings 2023).

We are a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities and we are consistently ranked as a top 10 university in national league tables (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide).

For more information about Durham University visit: www.durham.ac.uk/about/

END OF MEDIA RELEASE – issued by Durham University Communications Office

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Scientists develop new concepts about the shape and dynamic nature of molecules

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