A DEEPER LOOK Combinatorial Chemistry

Traditionally, organic compounds have been synthesized one at a time. This works well for preparing large amounts of a few substances, but it doesn t work so well for preparing small amounts of a great many substances. This latter goal is particularly important in the pharmaceutical industry, where vast numbers of structurally similar compounds must be screened to find the optimum drug candidate. 

To speed the process of drug discovery, combinatorial chemistry has been developed to prepare what are called combinatorial libraries, in which anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred thousand substances are prepared simultaneously. Among the early successes of combinatorial chemistry is the development of a benzodiazepine library, a class of aromatic compounds much used as antianxiety agents. 

Organic chemistry by robot means no spiiied flasks  

Two main approaches to combinatorial chemistry are used—parallel synthesis and split synthesis. In parallel synthesis, each compound is prepared independently. Typically, a reactant is first linked to the surface of polymer beads, which are then placed into small wells on a 96-well glass plate. Programmable robotic instruments add different sequences of building blocks to the different wells, thereby making 96 different products. When the reaction sequences are complete, the polymer beads are washed and their products are released. 

ABi Cl Di ABjCi Di AB3C1D, AB4C1D, AB1C2D1AB2C2D1AB3C2D1AB4C2D1 AB1C3D1AB2C3D1AB3C3D1AB4C3D1 AB1C4D1AB2C4D1AB3C4D1AB4C4D1 

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Polysubstituted Benzenes A Deeper Look— Combinatorial Chemistry... 

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