Scientists accidentally proved a "crazy" hypothesis about a vital vitamin

Breakthrough in chemistry: American scientists have "tamed" the elusive carbene in water for the first time, confirming a 67-year-old hypothesis

Researchers from the University of California, Riverside have made a true scientific breakthrough by managing to stabilize one of the most elusive molecules in chemistry - carbene - in an aqueous environment. This achievement confirmed a bold hypothesis proposed back in 1958 by outstanding chemist Ronald Breslow that vitamin B1 (thiamine) temporarily transforms into carbene during metabolic processes.

Carbenes are known for their extreme instability - in water they break down almost instantly, within fractions of a second. This property has made scientists doubt for decades whether such molecules could exist in living organisms. However, after almost seven decades, researchers have managed to create a unique molecular "container" that reliably protects the carbene and keeps it stable in an aqueous environment for up to six months.

"Many considered Breslow's idea crazy, but he turned out to be right," noted study co-author, chemist Vincent Lavallo.

The successful stabilization of carbene was documented using advanced high-resolution microscopy. This discovery not only proves the potential role of carbenes in biological processes but also paves the way for their safe use in water - a universal, accessible, and environmentally friendly solvent.

Notably, the scientists did not initially aim to test Breslow's hypothesis, but the results obtained became a vivid example of how fundamental research can radically change our understanding of the boundaries of what is possible in science.