Bredt’s rule, which states that double bonds cannot form in carbon-based compounds under certain structural conditions, has been overturned in new research by UCLA chemists. The discovery may lead to new types of molecules and encourage researchers to look for new chemical reactions in drug development.
The team discovered molecules called “anti-Bredt alkenes” (ABOs), which violate the rule. While the molecules were initially unstable, the researchers were able to stabilize them, opening up the possibility of analysis and potential use. The research shows that chemists can produce and use anti-Bredt alkenes to create valuable products, challenging the conventional wisdom that such molecules cannot exist.
