Copper enzyme transforms molecules into mirror-image forms using radical chemistry

AI Insight

Researchers have developed a binuclear copper enzyme platform that catalyzes enantioconvergent radical halogenation and pseudohalogenation reactions. The engineered enzyme converts racemic starting materials into single enantiomer products through radical-mediated carbon-halogen bond formation, achieving high enantioselectivity across a range of substrates. This biocatalytic approach provides access to valuable chiral halogenated compounds that are challenging to produce using traditional synthetic methods.

Why it matters

Chiral halogenated molecules are important building blocks in pharmaceutical synthesis and agrochemical development. This enzymatic method offers a sustainable alternative to conventional halogenation chemistry, operating under mild conditions while eliminating the need for racemic separation or kinetic resolution processes.