A research team led by Nuno Maulide from the University of Vienna published a method that allows N-methylamines to be directly transformed into more complex structures through a one-step 'alkyl swap' using simple alkenes.

How this affects you

This breakthrough provides a more efficient and accessible approach for modifying important molecular structures, which could significantly accelerate modern drug research by enabling the rapid production and testing of diverse drug variants. The 'bathtub chemistry' approach suggests a broad applicability due to its mild conditions.