CHIRAL MOLECULAR RECOGNITION AND CATALYSIS Sandia National Laboratories possesses extensive expertise in computer-guided synthesis of molecular receptors for chiral chemical species. Proprietary molecular simulations and normal-coordinate structural analysis, including Sandia National Laboratories developed force field for organometallics and normal-coordinate structural decomposition procedure, are used to guide the synthesis of metalloporphyrin-based superstructures capable of specifically binding chiral chemicals and biochemicals. Resonance Raman, NMR, UV-visible absorption, CD, mass-spec, X-ray structure, and chemical reactivity studies then characterize the synthesized chiral receptors. The level of expertise in porphyrin synthesis, experimental characterization, and molecular structural analysis of the receptors and receptor complexes is unrivaled with more than 20-years of experience in porphyrins and related compounds and resonance Raman spectroscopy and theory. More than 12 years experience in molecular modeling and molecular design.Greater than 10 years experience in catalysis and photochemistry. Important applications include: Chiral catalysis and separations, and chemical and biochemical sensing. Control of living polymers and polymer tacticity. Optical chiral chemical sensors for biomedical, CBW, and chemical manufacturing applications. Catalysts for enantioselective synthesis of chemicals and polymers. Photochiroptical materials. Potential Benefits Industries engaged in pharmaceutical, insecticide, pesticide and polymer development and manufacturing would experience shorter product development times and increased return on R&D investment utilizing Sandia National Laboratories' chiral modeling and synthesis expertise. In addition, the ability to develop and evaluate uniquely different classes of molecules aimed at sensing and catalysis would be attained. Demonstrated Achievements Two new types of chiral porphyrins for molecular recognition of chiral compounds have been demonstrated. One is a chiral porphyrin that makes a large conformational change between an open and closed geometry (flytrap) in response to coordination of a specified molecule (fly). The other is a designed chiral porphyrin containing no chiral atom. The chirality is induced by the strong steric constraints built into the molecule. Strategically placed hydrogen-bonding groups provide high enantioselectivity for the targeted chiral amine as shown by proton NMR measurements. This prototypical receptor is the first to be fully computationally designed, synthesized, and experimentally validated. The porphyrins have optical properties that make them good reporting groups for sensing the binding event. They also have highly variable structures that can be adjusted for detecting many interesting chemicals and biochemicals. Follow-up This proprietary Sandia capability may be applied to solve challenging problems in the field of polymer and other organic sciences. Sandia has the flexibility to form specific teams of technical experts from any or all of the above capabilities to focus expertise on specific technical challenges. We are interested in making this technology available to companies responsive to partnering with Sandia to develop near/term and/or future applications via licensing or cooperative development agreements. For further information, please respond by mail or fax to Joanne Trujillo no later than December 15, 1998 at: Sandia National Laboratories, MS 1380, P. O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1380. Fax: (505) 843-4163. Please indicate the date and title of this CBD notice. E-MAIL: Joanne Trujillo, jmtruji@sandia.gov. Posted 12/01/98 (W-SN275651).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0566 19981203\SP-0006.MSC)