Synthesis and Application of Organic Molecules Based on Symmetry

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemistry: Symmetry/Asymmetry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 43

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Interests: prebiotic chemistry; nucleic acid chemistry; multicomponents reactions; asymmetric organocatalysis

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Guest Editor
School of Physical Sciences, Great Bay University, Dongguan 523000, China
Interests: bionic catalytic synthesis; synthesis and application of new chemical and biological materials; synthesis of new drugs and process optimization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Symmetry is a fundamental concept across many scientific disciplines. In chemistry, it plays a crucial role in molecular structures, directly influencing their functions and properties. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in organic synthesis, including asymmetric catalysis. Scientists’ understanding of symmetry and asymmetry, along with their ability to precisely control chirality, has advanced remarkably, paving the way for new applications. This Special Issue highlights research on organic molecules, encompassing a wide range of topics, including organic synthesis, stereochemistry, structural analysis, molecular properties, organic physics, material development, and sensor technology. Additionally, it covers studies on dyes, fragrances, food additives, pharmaceuticals, and other related fields. We welcome submissions from researchers working with both small organic molecules and macromolecules exhibiting symmetric or asymmetric structures. Relevant fields include, but are not limited to, the following:

Reactions and Processes

  • Organic synthesis;
  • Asymmetric synthesis;
  • Organocatalysis;
  • Organometallic catalysis;
  • Enzymatic catalysis;
  • Electrosynthesis;
  • Photoredox catalysis;
  • Chiral ligands;
  • Chiral auxiliaries;
  • Symmetry breaking;
  • Chiral amplification;
  • Chiral resolution;
  • Racemization and deracemization;
  • Degradation;
  • Separation;
  • Titration.

Characterization and Properties

  • Nuclear magnetic resonance;
  • Mass spectrometry;
  • Ultraviolet spectroscopy;
  • Infrared spectroscopy;
  • Raman spectroscopy;
  • Fluorescence spectroscopy;
  • High-performance liquid chromatography;
  • Optical rotation;
  • Cyclic voltammetry;
  • IC50.

Mechanisms

  • Thermodynamics;
  • Kinetics;
  • Intermediates;
  • Equations;
  • Simulation;
  • Models;
  • Theories.

Structure and Chirality

  • Point groups;
  • Crystal structures;
  • X-ray;
  • Cryo-EM;
  • Stereochemistry;
  • Chirality;
  • Central chirality;
  • Axial chirality;
  • Planar chirality;
  • Helical chirality;
  • Chiral compounds;
  • Carbon-based chiral compounds;
  • Sulfur-based chiral compounds;
  • Phosphorus-based chiral compounds;
  • Silicon-based chiral compounds;
  • Boron-based chiral compounds.

Molecules and Materials

  • Natural products;
  • Heterocycles;
  • Bioactive molecules;
  • Organic acids and bases;
  • Macromolecules;
  • Polymers;
  • Organic–metal complexes;
  • Sugars, nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids;
  • RNA;
  • DNA;
  • Amino acids, polypeptides, and proteins;
  • Ribozymes and DNAzymes;
  • Enzymes.

Applications

  • Drug discovery;
  • Molecular recognition;
  • Molecular sensors;
  • Fragrances;
  • Dyes;
  • Functional materials;
  • Probes;
  • Food;
  • Insecticides.

Dr. Jian Zhang
Dr. Xiaoyang Dong
Guest Editors

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. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2400 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
  • catalysis
  • reaction mechanisms
  • chirality
  • natural products
  • medicine
  • materials
  • biochemistry
  • applied chemistry

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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