The pKa of a compound describes its acidity or basicity and, therefore, is one of its most important properties. Its value determines what form of the compound-positive ion, negative ion, or neutral species-will be present under different circumstances. This is crucial to the action and detection of the compound as a drug, pollutant, or other activ

The pKa of a compound describes its acidity or basicity and, therefore, is one of its most important properties. Its value determines what form of the compound—positive ion, negative ion, or neutral species—will be present under different circumstances. This is crucial to the action and detection of the compound as a drug, pollutant, or other active chemical agent. In many cases it is desirable to predict pKa values prior to synthesizing a compound, and enough is now known about the salient features that influence a molecule’s acidity to make these predictions. Computational Approaches for the Prediction of pKa Values describes the insights that have been gained on the intrinsic and extrinsic features that influence a molecule’s acidity and discusses the computational methods developed to estimate acidity from a compound’s molecular structure. The authors examine the strengths and weaknesses of the theoretical techniques and show how they have been used to obtain information about the acidities of different classes of chemical compounds. The book presents theoretical methods for both general and more specific applications, covering methods for various acids in aqueous solutions—including oxyacids and related compounds, nitrogen acids, inorganic acids, and excited-state acids—as well as acids in nonaqueous solvents. It also considers temperature effects, isotope effects, and other important factors that influence pKa. This book provides a resource for predicting pKa values and understanding the bases for these determinations, which can be helpful in designing better chemicals for future uses.

This book provides state-of-the-art information on how studies in applied theoretical organic chemistry are conducted. It highlights the many approaches and tools available to those interested in using computational chemistry to predict and rationalize structures and reactivity of organic molecules. Chapters not only describe theoretical techniques in detail, but also describe recent applications and offer practical advice.Authored by many of the world leaders in the field of applied theoretical chemistry, this book is perfect for both practitioners of computational chemistry and synthetic and mechanistic organic chemists curious about applying computational techniques to their research.Related Link(s)

Building from the perspective of reproductive and developmental biology, Computational Methods for Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology provides a timely and comprehensive overview of approaches in reproductive and developmental toxicology.The book, which is part of the QSAR in Environmental and Health Sciences series, is divided into three br

Computational Approaches for Studying Enzyme Mechanism Part A, is the first of two volumes in the Methods in Enzymology series, focusses on computational approaches for studying enzyme mechanism. The serial achieves the critically acclaimed gold standard of laboratory practices and remains one of the most highly respected publications in the molecular biosciences. Each volume is eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with over 550 volumes, the series remains a prominent and essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences and biotechnology, including biochemistry, chemical biology, microbiology, synthetic biology, cancer research, and genetics to name a few. - Focuses on computational approaches for studying enzyme mechanism - Continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field - Covers research methods in intermediate filament associated proteins, and contains sections on such topics as lamin-associated proteins, intermediate filament-associated proteins and plakin, and other cytoskeletal cross-linkers

There is a compelling need for new drugs and efficient treatments against mosquito-borne diseases. Environmentally safe, but effective insecticides that address the problems of resistance are required. Computational Design of Chemicals for the Control of Mosquitoes and Their Diseases explains how the search for new substances effective against mosquitoes and their diseases has benefited from the use of in silico techniques. QSAR modeling is suited to identify the key structural features and/or physicochemical properties explaining an activity and to propose candidate molecules for further evaluation by laboratory tests. Homology modeling is useful to approximate the 3D structure of proteins of interest. Pharmacophore modeling is a powerful means to capture the chemical features responsible for an activity and to identify new potentially active compounds via the virtual screening of databases. Fugacity modeling and a wealth of other modeling paradigms are useful for risk assessment in vector borne disease control.

Of the thousands of novel compounds that a drug discovery project team invents and that bind to the therapeutic target, typically only a fraction of these have sufficient ADME/Tox properties to become a drug product. Understanding ADME/Tox is critical for all drug researchers, owing to its increasing importance in advancing high quality candidates to clinical studies and the processes of drug discovery. If the properties are weak, the candidate will have a high risk of failure or be less desirable as a drug product. This book is a tool and resource for scientists engaged in, or preparing for, the selection and optimization process. The authors describe how properties affect in vivo pharmacological activity and impact in vitro assays. Individual drug-like properties are discussed from a practical point of view, such as solubility, permeability and metabolic stability, with regard to fundamental understanding, applications of property data in drug discovery and examples of structural modifications that have achieved improved property performance. The authors also review various methods for the screening (high throughput), diagnosis (medium throughput) and in-depth (low throughput) analysis of drug properties. - Serves as an essential working handbook aimed at scientists and students in medicinal chemistry - Provides practical, step-by-step guidance on property fundamentals, effects, structure-property relationships, and structure modification strategies - Discusses improvements in pharmacokinetics from a practical chemist's standpoint