Gelest, Inc. Launches Offering Of Novel Alkylsilicates For Drug Discovery

Gelest, Inc., an innovator in materials science, announced today the company has launched a line of novel alkylsilicates. These molecules are key building blocks for the cross-coupling reactions of sp3-sp2 and sp3-sp3 carbon centers that were developed by Professor Gary A. Molander at the University of Pennsylvania in 2016.

Cross-coupling of sp3-sp2 carbon centers is particularly important for drug discovery as it has been reported that compounds with lower sp3 fractions have higher rates of attrition in drug development. A few examples of sp3-sp2 cross-couplings reactions between alkylsilicates and p-cyanobromobenzene with Ir/Ni dual catalysis were first reported in 2015 by the Fensterbank group (ACIE, 2015, 54, 11414), but a general synthetic method was not available until 2016. The Molander group at the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that alkylsilicates undergo sp3-sp2 cross-coupling reactions with a broad range of aryl and alkenyl compounds via a photoredox dual catalysis of ruthenium and nickel. The reaction conditions are mild and suitable for both small-scale lab syntheses and large-scale commercial production. Alkylsilicates are stable solids that can be stored for long periods of time at ambient temperature.

“To support the great interest in Molander cross-coupling for drug discovery and synthetic organic chemistry, Gelest has launched the first commercial offering of alkylsilicates, and will continue to bring additional products to the market,” said Jeff DePinto, PhD, Gelest Business Manager, Silanes & Metal-Organics.

To support the product line, Gelest offers a new technical brochure featuring an overview of alkylsilicate cross-coupling chemistry with emphasis on carbon-carbon bond forming organic transformations. The brochure also highlights the Gelest alkylsilicates, which are available in both research and commercial quantities. In addition to its standard product portfolio, Gelest can undertake custom syntheses of specialty materials for specific research projects.

Learn more about these unique reagents by downloading a copy of the latest technical brochure, Alkylsilicates for Cross-Coupling, or view a product listing on the Gelest website.