Attractive noncovalent interactions in asymmetric catalysis: Links between enzymes and small molecule catalysts

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1006402107
• Publication Date: 2010-10-19T04:19:23Z
• Authors: Robert R. Knowles; Eric N. Jacobsen
• Keywords: Non-covalent interactions

Catalysis by neutral, organic, small molecules capable of binding and activating substrates solely via noncovalent interactions—particularly H-bonding—has emerged as an important approach in organocatalysis. The mechanisms which such molecule catalysts induce high enantioselectivity may be quite different from those used that rely on covalent interactions with substrates. Attractive are weaker, less distance dependent, directional, more affected entropy than interactions. However, the conformational constraint required for stereoinduction achieved, principle, if multiple attractive operating concert. This perspective will outline some recent efforts to elucidate cooperative responsible highly enantioselective reactions promoted catalysts.