Ligandsuch

Ligandsuch is a term found in German-language sources that refers to the search or screening of ligands that bind to a central atom, metal ion, or biological receptor. In coordination chemistry and related fields, ligandsuch describes the systematic process of identifying and evaluating candidate ligands to achieve desired properties such as binding strength, selectivity, chelation, or catalytic activity. In biochemistry and pharmacology, the concept overlaps with ligand screening or virtual screening, where molecules are evaluated for binding to a protein or receptor.

Methods used in ligandsuch include a range of experimental and computational approaches. Experimentally, researchers may synthesize candidate ligands and assess binding through techniques such as spectroscopic titrations, isothermal titration calorimetry, or crystallography, as well as implement binding assays in solution or on surfaces. Computationally, docking, molecular dynamics simulations, quantitative structure–activity relationship models, and pharmacophore analyses are employed to prioritize ligands before synthesis and testing.

Key considerations in ligandsuch involve binding affinity and selectivity, as well as practical properties such as solubility, stability, and synthetic accessibility. For metal-center applications, concepts from inorganic chemistry such as hard/soft acid-base matching, denticity, and steric tuning inform ligand design and screening decisions. The term ligandsuch is primarily used in German-language literature; in English, ligand search or ligand screening are the common equivalents.

See also: ligand, coordination chemistry, ligand design, virtual screening, docking.