Multifunctional hydantoins: recent advances in optoelectronics and medicinal drugs from Academia to the chemical industry

Imidazilidine-2,4-dione, also well known as hydantoin (TH), is a prominent five-membered heterocyclic compound with four versatile points of functionalities in its framework. Since the discovery of TH, various synthetic strategies have been developed through functionalization and the corresponding derivatives have been found to have versatile applications in various fields of science. Furthermore, its sulphur analogue thiohydantoin (2TH) is a fascinating and potential compound of the hydantoin family with five possible diverse reactive points, which has been explored extensively owing to its simple synthesis, resulting in desirable reactivity patterns and attractive properties via appropriate peripheral functionalization. This review provides a detailed survey on the structural modifications at various positions of 2TH and the promising applications of the resultant derivatives reported in the literature are thoroughly discussed. Functionalization of 2TH shows high potential for biological, medical and pharmaceutical activity. The commercialization of hydantoin-based drugs, their technology in the market and the capital of income generated are explored. TH derivatives display a plethora of properties and a wide range of applications such as sensors, chemical sensory materials towards the detection of toxic anions, metal ions, and biosensing/imaging as labelling markers in living cells and tissues. Furthermore, this review assesses the basic understanding of the photophysical properties of hydantoins given that this field is ripe for new ideas, which can enable their use in optoelectronics and prototypes to translate laboratory products into commercial products.