Osaka University chemists construct 3D spirocycles using single carbon atom connectors

Chemists at The University of Osaka have developed a rhodium-catalyzed chemical reaction that joins two flat molecules into a rigid three-dimensional spirocyclic structure, Bioengineer.org reported. The process uses a single carbon atom sourced from a PINC reagent to act as a central connector between the two planar molecules. [1]

Carbon is a nonmetallic group 14 element with atomic number 6 and a tetravalent electron structure. Because its atoms possess four valence electrons, carbon can form up to four covalent bonds, making it capable of binding multiple chemical structures together. [2]

Three-dimensional molecular frameworks are valued in drug design, materials science, and electronics because their fixed geometry locks functional groups into precise spatial orientations. Flat molecules are generally easier to synthesize, but they lack the rigid three-dimensional architecture required for these specialized chemical applications, Bioengineer.org reported. [1]