CiQUS develops a new methodology for the formation of benzazepines, a bioactive molecule of major interest

A new study, recently published in the journal JACS by researchers from the CIGUS Network working at the Singular Centre for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), describes an innovative methodology that allows the formation of one of these enantiomers of benzazepines using a short, efficient and environmentally-friendly route.

Benzazepines are molecules that can be found in a wide variety of natural products and pharmaceuticals. Many of these compounds are chiral and are available in two enantiomeric forms. Selectively accessing one of the enantiomers represents a far-reaching scientific challenge, and usually involves multiple phases. “The method we present is based on the selective activation of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds by an organometallic catalyst consisting of palladium and a new chiral ligand that we have developed in our laboratory,” explained Professor Moisés Gulías, one of the directors of the study.

The study, developed by PhD students José Manuel González and Xandro Vidal, and co-directed by Professor Mascareñas, also includes the collaboration of Dr Manuel Ortuño, who is also a member of CiQUS and therefore the CIGUS network, and an expert in computational chemistry. The discovery of this new chiral ligand is expected to lead to the development of other transformations that involve the enantioselective activation of C-H bonds. In addition, the methodology allows access to libraries of chiral benzazepine derivatives with new biological properties.