Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach
Small molecule asymmetric catalysts are often described as being “good” or “bad” but to date there has been no way of comparing catalyst efficiency quantitatively. We define a simple formula, Asymmetric Catalyst Efficiency (ACE), that allows for such a comparison. We propose that a catalyst is more...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Beilstein-Institut
2009-11-01
|
| Series: | Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.5.67 |
| _version_ | 1818619892448886784 |
|---|---|
| author | Shaimaa El-Fayyoumy Matthew H. Todd Christopher J. Richards |
| author_facet | Shaimaa El-Fayyoumy Matthew H. Todd Christopher J. Richards |
| author_sort | Shaimaa El-Fayyoumy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small molecule asymmetric catalysts are often described as being “good” or “bad” but to date there has been no way of comparing catalyst efficiency quantitatively. We define a simple formula, Asymmetric Catalyst Efficiency (ACE), that allows for such a comparison. We propose that a catalyst is more efficient if fewer atoms are utilised to give a product in a required enantiomeric excess. We illustrate this concept by analysing several well-known asymmetric catalytic chemical reactions carried out in academic laboratories, and compare small molecule catalysts with enzymes. We conclude that ACE is a useful descriptor for the comparison of diverse catalytic systems. It is also noteworthy that, despite the relatively short period of investigation into small molecule catalysts, they are competitive with enzymes with regards to this measure of catalytic efficiency. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T17:44:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cae0b0aab6584a98a374a9b40c742827 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1860-5397 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T17:44:42Z |
| publishDate | 2009-11-01 |
| publisher | Beilstein-Institut |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry |
| spelling | doaj.art-cae0b0aab6584a98a374a9b40c7428272022-12-21T22:22:31ZengBeilstein-InstitutBeilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry1860-53972009-11-01516710.3762/bjoc.5.671860-5397-5-67Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approachShaimaa El-Fayyoumy0Matthew H. Todd1Christopher J. Richards2School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UKSchool of Chemistry, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaSchool of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UKSmall molecule asymmetric catalysts are often described as being “good” or “bad” but to date there has been no way of comparing catalyst efficiency quantitatively. We define a simple formula, Asymmetric Catalyst Efficiency (ACE), that allows for such a comparison. We propose that a catalyst is more efficient if fewer atoms are utilised to give a product in a required enantiomeric excess. We illustrate this concept by analysing several well-known asymmetric catalytic chemical reactions carried out in academic laboratories, and compare small molecule catalysts with enzymes. We conclude that ACE is a useful descriptor for the comparison of diverse catalytic systems. It is also noteworthy that, despite the relatively short period of investigation into small molecule catalysts, they are competitive with enzymes with regards to this measure of catalytic efficiency.https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.5.67asymmetriccatalysisenzymesorganocatalysistransition metal complexes |
| spellingShingle | Shaimaa El-Fayyoumy Matthew H. Todd Christopher J. Richards Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry asymmetric catalysis enzymes organocatalysis transition metal complexes |
| title | Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach |
| title_full | Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach |
| title_fullStr | Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach |
| title_short | Can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions? A theoretical approach |
| title_sort | can we measure catalyst efficiency in asymmetric chemical reactions a theoretical approach |
| topic | asymmetric catalysis enzymes organocatalysis transition metal complexes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3762/bjoc.5.67 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shaimaaelfayyoumy canwemeasurecatalystefficiencyinasymmetricchemicalreactionsatheoreticalapproach AT matthewhtodd canwemeasurecatalystefficiencyinasymmetricchemicalreactionsatheoreticalapproach AT christopherjrichards canwemeasurecatalystefficiencyinasymmetricchemicalreactionsatheoreticalapproach |