A Call for a Change in Policy Regarding the Necessity for SDE Tests to Validate the Veracity of the Outcome of Enantioselective Syntheses, the Inherent Chiral State of Natural Products, and Other Cases Involving Enantioenriched Samples

Abstract

We wish to draw attention to an important issue concerning scientific practice with regard to enhancing the quality of publications in Molecules (as well as for other journals) [...]

Application of Polyamines and Amino Acid Derivatives Based on 2-Azabicycloalkane Backbone in Enantioselective Aldol Reaction

“…Since the observed stereochemical outcomes are not outstanding, we checked the possibility of further enantiomeric enrichment of the final products (though at the expense of their amount) by fractioning the samples during their chromatographic purification on a silica column. The effect of self-disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE), well-documented and discussed also in recent Molecules papers [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], if neglected, can lead to the false determination of stereoselectivity of the asymmetric reaction. On the other hand, it can be beneficial if the optical purity of the original product(s) of an asymmetric reaction is not satisfactory, which might be of particular importance for the compounds exhibiting an interesting biological activity.…”

Asymmetric Michael Addition in Synthesis of β-Substituted GABA Derivatives

“…Studying the SDE-properties of chiral molecules is an important issue in laboratory practice and drug development [124][125][126]. In particular, the current standards in administering chiral drugs as pure enantiomers emphasize the importance of the SDE phenomenon in the reliable and safe preparation of chiral GABA-containing pharmaceuticals [127,128].…”

New pharmaceuticals approved by FDA in 2020: Small‐molecule drugs derived from amino acids and related compounds

“…It is interesting to note that starting this year, some Journals require mandatory SDE-tests for related publications reporting manipulations with enantiomerically enriched compounds. 144,158…”

“…It should be emphasized that α‐, 147,148 β‐AAs 149,150 and their derivatives 151–157 are considered as SDE‐phoric groups, usually being prone to exceptionally high magnitudes of the SDE phenomenon. It is interesting to note that starting this year, some Journals require mandatory SDE‐tests for related publications reporting manipulations with enantiomerically enriched compounds 144,158 …”