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Nature 455, 309-313 (18 September 2008) | doi:10.1038/nature07368; Published online 17 September 2008

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Commentary Computational prediction of small-molecule catalysts

K. N. Houk1 & Paul Ha-Yeon Cheong1

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Most organic and organometallic catalysts have been discovered through serendipity or trial and error, rather than by rational design. Computational methods, however, are rapidly becoming a versatile tool for understanding and predicting the roles of such catalysts in asymmetric reactions. Such methods should now be regarded as a first line of attack in the design of catalysts.