Cover Picture: Revealing Atropisomer Axial Chirality in Drug Discovery (ChemMedChem 3/2011)

• Published in: ChemMedChem Vol. 6; no. 3; p. 381
• Main Authors: LaPlante, Steven R., Edwards, Paul J., Fader, Lee D., Jakalian, Araz, Hucke, Oliver
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 07-03-2011; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: atropisomers; axial hindrance; chiral axis; chirality; drug discovery; Pharmaceutical industry
• ISSN: 1860-7179; 1860-7187
• DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201190005

The cover picture shows that an atropisomeric drug dosed as a single enantiomer can racemize as a result of axial rotation along a hindered bond. Atropisomerism is an often overlooked source of chirality that has the potential to complicate the drug discovery process and cause late-stage attrition from clinical development. However, if detected early and managed properly, atropisomeric compounds can be developed as drugs. For more details, see the Full Paper by StevenR. LaPlante, Oliver Hucke, et al. on p.505ff. Background: Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci (pen and ink on paper; ca. 1487), stored at the Gallerie dell'Accademia (Venice, Italy).