In a new development, researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea have unveiled a new eco-friendly and low-cost method to synthesize pharmaceutical ingredients. Indolopyran – a type of nitrogen ring compound present in about 60% drugs recently received approval by FDA.
In fact, developing a new, simple synthetic method to produce novel biologically active compounds for the discovery of new drugs is more important besides searching for these compounds. Meanwhile, a recent study in association with the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology unveils a new low-cost and eco-friendly synthetic technique to produce these compounds that have potential to be used as pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the use of clean electricity is one such method used by the research team to produce indolopyran. In fact, the use of new synthetic method is poised to be more economical, safer, and more environment friendly than traditional ones.
New Method useful to enable discovery of new drugs
Factually, nitrogen ring compounds are used in about 60% drugs recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Nitrogen ring compounds are composed of a series of carbon atoms that are joined together to form a complete ring. In this structure, nitrogen atom are sandwiched between the carbon atoms. The addition of functional groups to nitrogen ring compounds allows discovery for new drugs to be synthesized. However, the difficulty for synthesis of new drugs depends upon the shape of the ring shape the type of functional groups.
In fact, indolopyran, which has gathered the interest of many researchers due to its anti-inflammatory and anticancer strengths, has thus far been quite difficult to create. And, currently there is no best method to synthesize this, as the process requires a metal catalyst and a base, and it occurs only at high temperatures.