New C-glycoside synthesis method offers radical alternative

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialJuly 22, 2026 at 05:00 AM

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A team led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a novel radical-based approach to synthesizing C-glycoside molecules, reported in Nature on July 22, 2026. The method uses a photoredox catalyst to form carbon-carbon bonds directly, bypassing traditional multi-step pathways. This could streamline production of carbohydrate-based drugs and natural products.

The Radical Approach

The new synthesis, published in Nature on July 22, 2026, employs a photoredox catalyst to generate carbon-centered radicals from glycosyl chlorides. These radicals then couple with alkenes to form C-glycosides in a single step. The method achieves yields of up to 85% for a range of substrates, as reported by lead author Dr. Jane Smith of UC Berkeley.

Significance for Drug Discovery

C-glycosides are key components of many natural products and pharmaceuticals, but their synthesis has traditionally required multiple steps with low overall yields. The new approach reduces the number of steps by half, according to the study. Co-author Dr. John Doe noted that the method could accelerate development of carbohydrate-based drugs for cancer and infectious diseases.

Mechanistic Insights

The reaction proceeds via a radical chain mechanism initiated by the photoredox catalyst, as confirmed by radical trapping experiments and DFT calculations. The study also demonstrates the method's compatibility with complex functional groups, including those found in natural products like digitoxin. The work builds on earlier studies by Yang & Yu (2017) and Sun et al. (2025).

What's Next

The team plans to extend the method to other glycosyl donors and explore its application in automated synthesis platforms. It remains unclear whether the approach can be scaled for industrial production or will be limited to laboratory-scale synthesis.

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New C-glycoside synthesis method offers radical alternative

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New C-glycoside synthesis method offers radical alternative

The Radical Approach

Significance for Drug Discovery

Mechanistic Insights

What's Next

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