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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
08:51
Coulomb Explosion Imaging as a Tool to Distinguish Between Stereoisomers
Published on: August 18, 2017
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Searching for stereoisomerism in crystallographic databases: algorithm, analysis and chiral curiosities
E Grothe1, H Meekes1, R de Gelder1
1Radboud University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Summary
This study introduces ChiChi, a new program for identifying chiral centers in molecules. It accurately detects stereoisomers in crystallographic databases, improving chemical structure analysis.
Area of Science:
- Computational chemistry
- Crystallography
- Stereochemistry
Background:
- Automated identification of chiral centers in molecular residues is challenging.
- Existing tools struggle with complex ring structures and comparing multiple structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel approach for identifying asymmetric carbon atoms.
- To develop a program for comparing isomeric residues based on identified chiral centers.
- To enable discrimination between enantiomers, diastereomers, and constitutional isomers in crystallographic databases.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of the atomic walk count algorithm.
- Development of a computer program named ChiChi.
- Processing of 254,354 organic entries from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).
Main Results:
- Successful identification of chiral centers in complex molecular structures.
- Demonstrated ability to compare isomeric residues and discriminate between stereoisomers.
- Analysis of stereoisomerism across a large dataset from the CSD.
Conclusions:
- ChiChi provides a robust method for automated chiral center identification.
- The program enhances the analysis of stereoisomerism in crystallographic data.
- This approach offers significant strength and versatility for chemical structure analysis.
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