Dynamic combinatorial chemistry

A comprehensive review of all aspects of dynamic combinatorial chemistry and some related approaches is given. First, the various types of reversible chemistries are discussed with emphasis on the conditions and practical issues such as functional group tolerance. Second, issues related to the experimental setup of a dynamic combinatorial library (DCL) are discussed including tests for equilibration and the influence of building blocks concentrations and design on the composition of DCLs. Fourth, the applications of DCLs for the discovery of new synthetic receptors and catalysts as well as the discovery of new ligands for proteins and nucleic acids are outlined. Fifth, the use of dynamic combinatorial chemistry to address the folding of biomolecules as well as synthetic polymers is emphasized. Finally, some approaches that resemble dynamic combinatorial chemistry are described.