On Shapeshifting Molecules

Abstract:

Molecules that greatly shift their shape, through bond migrations or photochemically driven double bond isomerizations, have long fascinated us. I will illustrate this with a biomimetic synthesis of the diterpene azorellolide, which involves shapeshifting cations, and through our latest achievements in photopharmacology. The latter include work on a new class of potent opioid analgesics that remain in the periphery (hence no respiratory depression) and can be locally activated with light (hence no constipation). As efficacy switches, they also provide insight into how opioids can switch from weak to strong agonists.