Dynamic Ligand Assembly

Abstract

Constitutional dynamic chemistry (CDC), and, in particular, its reversible covalent domain designated as dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC), have emerged as efficient supramolecular approaches to produce dynamic chemical diversity on both the molecular and supramolecular levels. In contrast to the stepwise methodology of classical combinatorial techniques, DCC allows for the simple generation of libraries based on the continuous interconversion between the library constituents. The library components are spontaneously assembled through reversible chemical reactions, generating all possible constituent combinations. The dynamic features further enable the establishment of adaptive processes of the library constituents. By addition of the target selector, a driving force is created in which the formation of the best candidate will be favored over all other constituents. In this way the dynamic system will preferentially lead to a “survival of the fittest” situation, a self-screening process in principle capable of greatly accelerating drug discovery.