Single-atom molecular editing: transformative advances in carbocyclic and heterocyclic frameworks

Area of Science:

• Organic Chemistry
• Synthetic Chemistry

Background:

• Single-atom editing precisely modifies carbocyclic and heterocyclic frameworks.
• These frameworks are essential in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced materials.
• The approach diversifies molecular scaffolds and enhances pharmacological activity in drug discovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in single-atom editing strategies for carbocyclic and heterocyclic frameworks.
• To highlight key transformations and synthetic applications.
• To inspire further advancements in targeted molecular edits.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on strategies like ring contractions, atom deletions, ring expansions, and atom insertions.
• Highlights key transformations including Favorskii and Wolff rearrangements.
• Incorporates modern photochemical and transition-metal-catalyzed processes.

Main Results:

• Single-atom editing enables controlled heteroatom substitution, addition, or deletion in heterocycles with high selectivity.
• Advances in catalysis have expanded the versatility of single-atom editing.
• The approach facilitates the design of novel molecular architectures and improves synthesis of known scaffolds.

Conclusions:

• Single-atom editing provides efficient and sustainable routes for large-scale chemical synthesis.
• It offers unprecedented control and selectivity compared to traditional methods.
• This review provides a broad overview of synthetic applications and future directions.