"Revolutionizing β-lactam synthesis with nickel catalysts: A game-changing breakthrough"
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have developed a breakthrough method using nickel catalysts to synthesize chiral β-lactams, which are essential components of antibiotics like penicillins and carbapenems. This novel approach overcomes challenges in β-lactam synthesis, offering streamlined pathways for drug development. The researchers achieved high enantioselectivity and regioselectivity by harnessing the catalytic properties of nickel-hydride species and alkene dioxazolone substrates. The use of low-cost nickel catalysts makes this process economically desirable, and the simplified synthesis strategies have the potential to accelerate the drug discovery phase.