| Facilitated Synthesis of Molecules Using Nucleophile Assisting Leaving Groups (NALGs) 
Description Small molecules used in medical, agricultural, and material science applications are usually assembled from smaller molecular fragments in a stepwise fashion. The figure below characterizes the current traditional method of small-molecule synthesis. In this representation, the small-molecule product is generated by the reaction of the starting material (pentagon) with several molecular sub-fragments (symbolized by the ellipse, square, and circle). In chemical parlance, the ellipse, square, and circle are termed nucleophiles. An important aspect of this synthetic approach is the displacement of the correct leaving groups by the molecular sub-fragments (nucleophiles). For example, the ellipse should displace LG1 and not LG2 or LG3. Current state-of-the-art synthesis techniques do not allow for a high degree of selectivity often requiring tedious processes to separate the desired product from unwanted side-products. To promote a more specific reaction of the nucleophile with the substrate (the pentagon), the inventor developed leaving groups that contain nucleophile recognition sites. The basic idea is depicted in the second figure. Current technology 
Nucleophile Assisting Leaving Group (NALG) technology 
Potential Applications Immediate application as Specialty Reagents – Due to the rate enhancement and cation selectivity observed in experiments involving the NALG, numerous synthetic and medicinal chemists will choose to use the NALG technology. Suppliers of chemical reagents may also be interested in offering NALG products. Long-term application as PET Labeling Agents – The rate enhancement of NALG technology should find application in the synthesis of positron emitting labeling agents for use in PET medical imaging. State of Technology Development and Commercialization In collaboration with researchers at the National Institutes of Mental Health, proof of concept was recently demonstrated in a radio chemical setting. These preliminary findings strongly indicate NALG technology will find compelling applications in the medical imaging sector once this technology has been adapted to a convenient cartridge format.
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Updated August 10, 2008 | 
