Computational Prediction of Enantioselectivity in Metal-Catalyzed Reactions

化学系的化学催化计划正在资助圣母大学Olaf Wiest和Paul Helquist小组的“金属催化反应中对映体选择性的计算预测”项目。该项目开发，验证和应用计算方法来预测立体选择性（优先形成一种原子在空间中的排列而不是分子中的其他可能性）和区域选择性（优先在分子的特定位置形成新键而不是其他可能的位置）。正确预测过渡金属催化反应选择性的能力在制药和精细化学品工业中具有广泛的影响。需要高选择性反应来生产更安全、更有效和更低成本的药物。该项目为研究生和本科生提供多学科培训，强调计算和实验方法及其在实际问题中的应用之间的密切联系。预测方法包括五个步骤：（i）使用电子结构方法计算目标反应的相关过渡结构，（ii）使用量子引导分子力学（Q2 MM）参数化和验证基态和过渡态力场（TSFF），（三）使用全Monte Carlo构象采样计算相关非对映异构体过渡结构的自由能差，过渡态与TSFF，（iv）使用力场快速预测虚拟配体库的对映体选择性，和（v）选择和实验评价顶级配体候选人进行验证。这些方法用于合成有机化学中的各种重要反应，包括：（i）Mukaiyama羟醛缩合，（ii）Heck芳基化，（iii）有机硼化合物与不饱和羰基的1，4-加成，以及（iv）亚胺还原。TSFF和Q2 MM代码可通过Github提供给科学界。

The Chemical Catalysis program in the Division of Chemistry is funding the project "Computational Prediction of Enantioselectivity in Metal-Catalyzed Reactions" in the groups of Olaf Wiest and Paul Helquist at the University of Notre Dame. The project develops, validates, and applies computational methods for the prediction of stereoselectivity (preferential formation of one arrangement of atoms in space over other possibilities in a molecule) and regioselectivity (preferential formation of new bonds at specific positions of a molecule over other possible positions). The ability to correctly predict reaction selectivity in transition metal catalysis has a broad impact in the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industry. Highly selective reactions are needed to produce safer, more effective, and lower cost drugs. The project provides multi-disciplinary training for graduate and undergraduate students that emphasizes the close connection between computational and experimental approaches and their application to practical problems. The prediction method involves five steps: (i) calculation of the pertinent transition structures for the targeted reactions using electronic structure methods, (ii) parameterization and validation of ground- and transition state force fields (TSFF) using quantum-guided molecular mechanics (Q2MM), (iii) calculation of the free energy difference of the relevant diastereomeric transition structures using full Monte Carlo conformational sampling at the transition state with the TSFF, (iv) use of the force fields for rapid prediction of enantioselectivities for virtual ligand libraries, and (v) selection and experimental evaluation of top ligand candidates for validation. The methods are used for a variety of reactions of importance in synthetic organic chemistry, including: (i) Mukaiyama aldol condensations, (ii) Heck arylations, (iii) 1,4-addition of organoboron compounds to unsaturated carbonyls, and (iv) imine reductions. The TSFFs and the Q2MM code is available to the scientific community via Github.