New computer-assisted methods for the elucidation of molecular structure from 2-D spectra

General principles of the construction of expert systems for the elucidation of the structure of molecules from their spectra were considered. The principal attention was focused on systems based on the use of 2-D NMR spectra. The structural information extracted from 2D NMR spectra was characterized, and the strategy was outlined for structure elucidation under the conditions when the analyzed spectrostructural information is incomplete, fuzzy, and contradictory. The most advanced expert system ACD/Structure Elucidator, which is capable of determining the structure and stereochemistry of large molecules, in particular, those typical in the chemistry of natural compounds, is described as an example.