Catalysis
Contemporary research on the catalysis of organic transformations is often dominated by an almost disproportionate focus on the optimization of one numerical quantity, the enantiomeric (or diastereomeric) excess of the catalyzed reaction. Since it is generally easier to tweak proven catalytic systems (e.g., by changing an R group on one or more ligands) than to design an entirely new system, many research groups ignore other important parameters, including the turnover number (TON). However, a growing body of data suggests that ligand sets that bind more tightly to a given metal enhance TON, which is of great value to industries that catalytically produce materials in large quantities. Ideally, the synergy of a well-designed ligand set coordinated to the optimum metal in the proper oxidation state can help a catalyst outperform its congeners in both TON and enantiomeric excess.
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