Catalysis for Drug Discovery
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Organic Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Despite breakthroughs, synthetic methodologies have changed the way scientists think about designing and making molecules. Organic synthesis is still a rate-limiting factor in drug-discovery processes. Significant challenges arise from the fact that drug molecules usually involve complex structures, polar sensitive groups, and multiple stereocenters. Moreover, there is an increasing need for new reactions that enable non-traditional disconnections and provide opportunities for increasing efficiency and reducing the cost of building novel molecules. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new catalytic strategies for organic synthesis guided by the connotations of drug discovery.
The goal of this Special Issue is to collect original research papers and review articles devoted to all aspects of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis for drug discovery, including metal catalysis, organocatalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, asymmetric catalysis, and biocatalysis. Submission of manuscripts describing attractive catalytic technologies, such as “escape from flatland”, molecular editing, C–H bond activation, C–C or C–X bond cross-coupling, and late-stage functionalization, are also encouraged.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Prof. Dr. Deyun Qian
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- organic synthesis
- metal catalysis
- organocatalysis
- asymmetric catalysis
- photocatalysis
- electrocatalysis
- drug discovery
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
