1,5-dioxepan-2-one

Description

1,5-dioxepan-2-one, also known as **δ-valerolactone**, is a cyclic ester with a six-membered ring containing two oxygen atoms.

Here's why it's important in research:

**1. Versatile Synthetic Building Block:**

* **Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP):** δ-Valerolactone is a monomer used in ROMP to create biodegradable polymers with interesting properties, such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. These polymers have potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and packaging.
* **Lactone ring opening:** The lactone ring can be opened by various nucleophiles, making it a valuable starting material for synthesizing other molecules, including pharmaceuticals and natural products.

**2. Biological Activities:**

* **Antimicrobial and antifungal properties:** Studies have shown that δ-valerolactone exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal activities against a range of microorganisms.
* **Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities:** Some research indicates potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it relevant to the study of diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation.
* **Potential as a drug candidate:** Its biological activities have led to research exploring its potential as a drug candidate for various medical conditions.

**3. Environmental Applications:**

* **Biodegradable solvent:** Its non-toxic and biodegradable nature makes it a potential replacement for volatile organic solvents in certain applications.
* **Biorenewable platform chemical:** δ-Valerolactone can be produced from renewable resources, such as biomass, making it a promising platform chemical for sustainable chemical synthesis.

**4. Research Tool:**

* **Model system for studying lactone chemistry:** The relatively simple structure of δ-valerolactone allows researchers to study the reactivity and properties of lactones in a controlled environment.

**In summary, 1,5-dioxepan-2-one (δ-valerolactone) is an important molecule for research due to its versatility as a synthetic building block, its biological activities, its potential environmental applications, and its value as a research tool.**

1,5-dioxepan-2-one: structure given in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]