Absolute Configuration by VCD: example of (S)-Binaphthol
Determination of absolute configuration (AC) of chiral molecules is an important step in any field related to chirality but nowhere is it as critical as in the pharmaceutical industry. The phenomenon of “chiral recognition” − in which the enantiomers of a chiral drug may exhibit differences in biological activity or other processes such as distribution, uptake, and metabolism−makes it a necessity (or requirement) to know the AC not only of the final molecule but as early in the process of development as possible.
Questions and Answers about VCD for an Organic or Medicinal Chemist
Q: What is VCD?
A: VCD is the abbreviation of infrared vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). It measures the difference in left-and-right circularly polarized infrared light.
Fastest- and Safest-in-Class Explosive Detection
The use of explosive devices in terrorist attacks has dramatically increased within the last decade, according to the data from Global Terrorism Database. To enable timely detection of explosives, their
precursors and/or their breakdown products, several analytical methods have been developed or are being currently tested, including portable or handheld Raman
READ MORE…
Detection of Counterfeit Biologic Drugs
Counterfeit drugs are a rapidly growing global public health threat impacting both developing and developed countries. Counterfeits affect people of all ages, causing disability, injury, and even death. The magnitude of this problem is such that counterfeit medicine is estimated to have annual revenue of over $200 billion, and cause hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide every year. Moreover, since not all counterfeit activity is detected and/or reported, these figures are likely to be underestimates
READ MORE…
Quick ID of Opioid-Containing Drugs
Abuse of opioid-containing medications in the United States has caused an unprecedented drug overdose epidemic. Between 2001 and 2015, opioid-related overdose deaths have tripled to reach a shocking
number of 33,091. Since 2009, these deaths have outnumbered the deaths from motor vehicle crashes to become a major, nationwide public health problem
READ MORE…