New ways to build complex, 3-D drug-like molecules using single-electron chemistry
Official title: Increasing Topological and Functional Group Complexity Through Single-Electron Pathways
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11450300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing radical-based, base-metal catalysts to rapidly build 3-D medicinal chemistry scaffolds with fluorine and other useful groups, aiming to expand the diversity of drug candidates.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $340,016 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM158873-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with diseases that could be treated by new small-molecule drugs developed using these methods, particularly where 3-D structures and fluorinated groups improve efficacy or safety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in drug development or those whose conditions are not linked to small-molecule therapeutics may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on developing new catalytic methods that use single-electron chemistry to create carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds in 3-D molecules. By using abundant metals like iron, manganese, and copper, the work aims to transform common starting materials such as alcohols, alkenes, and alkyl halides into complex, drug-relevant structures. The project has three aims: (1) make fluorinated C(sp3) motifs from simple precursors, (2) develop borylation methods to form alkyl boronic esters including enantioselective variants, and (3) enable introduction of the SF5 group via radical difunctionalization and novel reagents. If successful, these methods could broaden the toolbox for designing diverse and potentially more effective medicines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from access to a wider range of drug-like molecules with better properties.
How similar studies have gone: Previous radical and single-electron approaches have shown promise in enabling novel bond formations, supporting the potential of this strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cook, Silas P — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Cook, Silas P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.