Synthesis of Boron Cluster Compounds... Application in Neutron Capture Therapy

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] Domestic researchers have developed a new method for synthesizing boron cluster compounds that are chemically stable, have low toxicity, and are not decomposed in the body. The research team expects that by injecting drugs that absorb neutrons, such as boron, they can open a new chapter in boron neutron capture therapy for cancer treatment.

The National Research Foundation of Korea introduced the research conducted by Professor Ilho Lee's team from the Department of Chemistry at Kangwon National University, published on the 3rd in the international chemistry journal Journal of the American Chemical Society.

The research team developed boron cluster compounds that induce specific chemical forms and reactions through an iridium catalyst. They selectively activated the 4th boron-hydrogen bond of the carborane cluster compound and selectively introduced a five-membered ring and a conjugated pi-electron system to perform consecutive reactions, synthesizing new cluster compounds.

Boron compounds are substances used in anticancer treatments due to their chemical properties. Among them, carboranes are characterized by stability and low toxicity, making them useful in pharmaceuticals, materials chemistry, ligands, supramolecules, and boron neutron capture therapy.

The research team expects that by enabling the selective introduction of a five-membered ring and a conjugated pi-electron system into the carborane skeleton, which was previously impossible to synthesize, this method can be applied in various fields.

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