2. Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (CCD)

2.1 Principles and benefits

Combinatorial chemistry makes it possible to simultaneously synthesize libraries of molecules from simple combinations of reagents [P 3 270] . This approach, developed since the 1960s, has proved particularly useful in biology and medicine for identifying new molecules with therapeutic properties. Dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC), on the other hand, involves mixtures whose constituents are in equilibrium. These are known as thermodynamically controlled combinatorial processes. The most thermodynamically stable reaction product(s) can thus be selected from all possible combinations of reagents.