Contra-thermodynamic stereochemical editing explained

A humped curved graph showing the path between two stereo isomers

Source: © Haotong Bai et al, J. Org. Chem, 2025

How chemists are using light, enzymes and mechanical force to access higher‑energy stereoisomers without rebuilding a molecule from scratch

An organic molecule’s three-dimensional shape often dictates how chemists build it, forcing them to lock in stereochemistry at the same time as forming new bonds. But this can box chemists into using challenging, low-yielding or resource-intensive reactions.