Quantitative structure-chemical reactivity applications

Applications of neural networks are becoming more diverse in chemistry [31-40]. Some typical applications include predicting chemical reactivity, acid strength in oxides, protein structure determination, quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR), fluid property relationships, classification of molecular spectra, group contribution, spectroscopy analysis, etc. The results reported in these areas are very encouraging and are demonstrative of the wide spectrum of applications and interest in this area. 

An alternative viewpoint for structure-activity investigations is to utilize quantitative models as probes into the mechanism of action of the set of compounds being studied. In this case it is most useful if the molecular descriptors are explicitly meaningful in terms of chemical reactivity or physiological behavior, e.g., distribution of the compound in an organism (see Table II). In a previous symposium, (18), we described our application of this approach toward the development of a quantitative structure-potency expression, equation 1,... 

As the chemical models mentioned here refer to some fundamental thermochemical and electronic effects of molecules, their application is not restricted to the prediction of chemical reactivity data. In fact, in the development of the models extensive comparisons were made with physical data, and thus such data can also be predicted from our models. Furthermore, some of the mechanisms responsible for binding substrates to receptors are naturally enough founded on quite similar electronic effects to those responsible for chemical reactivity. This suggest the use of the models developed here to calculate parameters for quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR). 

In a parallel development, structural effects on the chemical reactivity and physical properties of organic compounds were modelled quantitatively by the Hammett equation 8). The topic is well reviewed by Shorter 9>. Hansen 10) attempted to apply the Hammett equation to biological activities, while Zahradnik U) suggested an analogous equation applicable to biological activities. The major step forward is due to the work of Hansch and Fujita12), who showed that a correlation equation which accounted for both electrical and hydrophobic effects could successfully model bioactivities. In later work, steric parameters were included 13). 

The BOVB method does not of course aim to compete with the standard ab initio methods. BOVB has its specific domain. It serves as an interface between the quantitative rigor of today s capabilities and the traditional qualitative matrix of concepts of chemistry. As such, it has been mainly devised as a tool for computing diabatic states, with applications to chemical dynamics, chemical reactivity with the VB correlation diagrams, photochemistry, resonance concepts in organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and more generally all cases where a valence bond reading of the wave function or the properties of one particular VB structure are desirable in order to understand better the nature of an electronic state. The method has passed its first tests of credibility and is now facing a wide field of future applications. 

The interfacial aqueous coordination chemistry of natural particles, in particular their surface complexation reactions, owes much of its development to the research of Werner Stumm. Beginning with the tentative interpretation of specific adsorption processes in terms of chemical reactions to form inner-sphere surface complexes, his seminal questions spawned a generation of research on the detection and quantitation of these surface species. The application of noninvasive spectroscopy in this research is exemplified by electron spin resonance and extended X-ray absorption fine structure studies. These studies, in turn, indicate the existence of a rich variety of surface species that transcend the isolated surface complex in both structure and reactivity, thereby stimulating future research in molecular conceptualizations of the particle-water interface. 

Having clarified the nature of possible structure-reactivity correlations, we can turn to discuss the application of the VBSCD to chemical reactivity. These can in turn be quantitative, by means of quantum mechanical calculations, or qualitative whenever one has knowledge about variations of the quantities in a series of reactions. 

Topical issues on the advantages and limitations of TG-MS with respect to other evolved gas analysis techniques have recently been summarised by Raemaekers and Bart a.l0] in a review on TG-MS thermal degradation of polymers. The advantageous applications of the technique in polymer science can be extended from qualitative thermal degradation analyses to thermooxidation, structural characterisation and chemical analyses, kinetics, solid-state reaction mechanisms, chemical reactivity and curing, quantitative analyses, and finally product formulation and development. 

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