Scott J. Miller

Peptide-based catalysis is now an established paradigm for developing a wide range of enantioselective and site-selective catalytic processes.  Predicated on the broad principle of multifunctional catalysis, these systems proceed through transition states wherein sets of formed and partially formed chemical bonds are surrounded by an accumulation of noncovalent interactions.  What factors contribute to the realization of high-selectivity scenarios?  Where are we along the design versus screening continuum as we confront new reaction types for the first time?  Have general principles emerged, or are we mostly striving to clutter up the transition states with interactions with the expectation, or hope, that degeneracy of energies is unlikely? This lecture will endeavor to address these questions with case studies.