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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Noncovalent organocatalysis based on hydrogen bonding: elucidation of reaction paths by computational methods
Kerstin Etzenbach-Effers1, Albrecht Berkessel
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cologne, Greinstrasse 4, 50939 Cologne, Germany.
Abstract:
In this article, the functions of hydrogen bonds in organocatalytic reactions are discussed on atomic level by presenting DFT studies of selected examples. Theoretical investigation provides a detailed insight in the mechanism of substrate activation and orientation, and the stabilization of transition states and intermediates by hydrogen bonding (e.g. oxyanion hole). The examples selected comprise stereoselective catalysis by bifunctional thioureas, solvent catalysis by fluorinated alcohols in epoxidation by hydrogen peroxide, and intramolecular cooperative hydrogen bonding in TADDOL-type catalysts.
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