This new chemical technique adds to a towering reputation

The result of CAATHy and the rest of the team's process is the core of a natural product called macroline: a scaffold of atoms that's the basis for hundreds of molecules derived from snakeroot and other related plants. Many of these molecules have antimicrobial, anticancer or other useful properties.

Bohn describes the process of their research as being much like cooking from scratch - all the way from scratch, if you had to grow the wheat for your flour from seed. Cipriano likens the process to playing with Lego bricks (albeit, higher-stakes and with a bigger impact). When they find a new pathway for getting to an important molecule, it can make it easier for others to produce new medicines and other useful substances.

"We need novel ways to prepare these molecules, especially once you get to more complex compounds," said Cipriano. "Very small changes in molecules can actually have a huge impact on how you make them."

Coming up with one of these novel mechanisms also means they get the right to name their discovery. The name went through several iterations, like AAATH (too awkward) and CAATH (not catchy enough). Bohn's stroke of genius was borrowing the lowercase "y" from "hydrogen." Creative acronym magic is yet another tool in the organic chemist's toolbox.

The name simplifies what would otherwise be a mouthful and pays homage to a building that both students have affection for. Bohn fondly remembers long nights spent studying for PhD exams in the Commons Room, and when Cipriano gets to work early on Saturdays, he likes to watch the sun rise by the building from a Chevron Hall balcony.

And hopefully, says Bohn, the name will give people a reason to learn a bit more about the importance of a discipline that's famous largely for striking fear in the hearts of undergrads.

"Chemists, we have fun, too," said Bohn. "And our methodology, CAATHy, could be used in medicinal chemistry and could be used to make really important molecules."

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski