University of Eastern Finland researcher Dr. Petri Turhanen was working on a modified version of the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, when he noticed that the cation exchange resin that he was using was generating another molecule. After closer examination, he noticed that the molecule had already been iodinated, which means that there was an iodine atom added to the molecule.
This particular reaction is a struggle to perform with the use of current synthesis approaches, which frequently depend on hazardous and toxic chemicals, as well as rough reaction conditions.
As an obvious ecological crisis globally emerges, reducing the hazardous effect becomes more appropriate than ever. Relatively, handling the environmental effect of such procedures frequently falls under the accountability of the so-called "green chemistry," the notion of designing chemical procedures with minimal, if not zero, negative effect on the environment.
Alongside green chemistry is the demand for technological resolutions with the hope that humans can lessen their dependence on damaging and non-renewable resources. On a larger scale, it is aimed to restrict certain byproducts of some manufacturing processes while improving or maintaining the present life's quality.
ALSO READ: Altered Carbon's Lela Loren on Finding Similarities Between Biology and Acting
Iodinating Methods
The traditional way of iodinating molecules utilizes Iâ‚‚ as an ion source. And chemists claim that this is quite effective. However, for reactions requiring high temperatures, there is certainly a problem. With quite a small amount of heat, iodine can easily sublimate. This process involves the transformation of a solid material to gas.
Some other methods also include hazardous reactants, which are either carcinogenic, explosive or environmentally damaging.
The Unexpected Discovery
While conducting an experiment, Dr. Turhanen made an accidental discovery. While he was developing a synthesis route for an ATP derivative, an essential molecule in cells, his research team found that among their expected products was another product that they were not expecting. NMR tests run on this compound validated its identity. Where the beginning material consisted of a double bond between two carbon atoms, this molecule had just one bond, and one extra atom on both carbons--one iodine and one hydrogen.
Other approaches to perform the addition of iodine and hydrogen across carbon double bonds, as long as the double bond is also part of a longer chain. However, this particular addition reaction of iodine and hydrogen within a carbon double bond at a chain's end is exceptionally atypical in the literature.
So why had this synthesis never discovered in the past? Possibly, a part of the answer may lie in certain materials being used for the completion of this reaction. Dr. Turhanen's research group was using the brand Dowex, now under the umbrella of DuPont, to perform the experiment.
What does this mean?
Generally, iodinated compounds greatly help in the simplification of processes in the laboratory. This would in turn be used in further research or larger scale processes like in various industries.
However, for this specific application, the potential of the discovery in medicine can be studied. Because it can be used in the synthesis of radioactive isotopes, it can be used in PET scanning, diagnosis, and therapy.