valuablelesson: Why Do I Need to Appreciate Organic Chemistry?, Volume #1: Stereochemistry Thalidomide was a drug popular in the 60’s to combat morning sickness in women. It also proved to be a “wonder drug” when it came to insomnia. However, women around the world who took notice to various birth defects such as facial, nerve, and bone deformities. It was discovered that Thalidomide is a racemic mixture, meaning that both isomers exists in equal amounts. (R)-thalidomide on the left is the beneficial drug. (S)-thalidomide however, causes the tragic deformities. Researchers then realized this horrible mistake. This led to stricter drug testing. The drug has largely been off the shelves for decades. Currently, it’s been considered for treatments from Leprosy to AIDS, despite much controversy. A simple mirror image of a compound can be the difference between a “drug miracle” and a “health catastrophe”.

valuablelesson:

Why Do I Need to Appreciate Organic Chemistry?, Volume #1: Stereochemistry

Thalidomide was a drug popular in the 60’s to combat morning sickness in women. It also proved to be a “wonder drug” when it came to insomnia. However, women around the world who took notice to various birth defects such as facial, nerve, and bone deformities.

It was discovered that Thalidomide is a racemic mixture, meaning that both isomers exists in equal amounts. (R)-thalidomide on the left is the beneficial drug. (S)-thalidomide however, causes the tragic deformities. Researchers then realized this horrible mistake. This led to stricter drug testing. The drug has largely been off the shelves for decades. Currently, it’s been considered for treatments from Leprosy to AIDS, despite much controversy.

A simple mirror image of a compound can be the difference between a “drug miracle” and a “health catastrophe”.

Source: valuablescience
  1. mashnotize reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  2. ezuwhal reblogged this from kalli-krein
  3. kalli-krein reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  4. bantha-milk reblogged this from kem-ist
  5. nelyson reblogged this from celestialskies
  6. celestialskies reblogged this from berry-nicely
  7. cltnlee reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  8. itsafreudianslip reblogged this from kem-ist
  9. berry-nicely reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  10. prettyexplosions12 reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  11. panacea-mjjr reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  12. sonicwomb reblogged this from fyeahmedlab
  13. kem-ist reblogged this from valuablescience and added:
    organic chemistry,...well as why green chemistry
  14. fyeahmedlab reblogged this from valuablescience
  15. valirium reblogged this from valuablescience
  16. ethidiumiodide reblogged this from valuablescience
  17. fiftypercentillusion reblogged this from fishaaa
  18. fishaaa reblogged this from valuablescience
  19. courtfucius reblogged this from schrodingerstrawberry and added:
    HONEY DARLING I DONT KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT HERE HAVE THIS I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
  20. frenchfraise reblogged this from valuablescience
  21. treyhoos reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  22. joerosewood reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  23. sicksalvation reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  24. schrodingerstrawberry reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  25. oscarwildely reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  26. pastellieria reblogged this from ochem-ohfuck
  27. ochem-ohfuck reblogged this from valuablescience