Symmetry specified enumeration of substituted derivatives: an easy solution to the complex problem

Several sophisticated methods to solution of symmetry specified enumeration problems are available in the modern literature. In this paper we propose a simple technique that allows one to manually compute the exact numbers of fixed-symmetry derivatives for a given structure either with inclusion or ignoring the substitution patterns. The basic idea of the method suggested consists in the derivation of Pólya-like cycle indices for the automorphism groups of specially constructed orbit partition graphs; the expansion of these indices and subsequent simple calculations result in the desired numbers of substituted derivatives with achiral substituents. Limitations of the new technique (and a method suggested earlier) depend on the relevance of the orbit partitions for particular subgroups of the point symmetry group. For illustration purposes, the results obtained for the prismane (D _3h ) and adamantane (T _d ) structures are discussed. In the former case the numbers of substituted derivatives can be found for all subgroups of the D _3h group, whereas in the latter case these numbers can be determined for eight out of eleven subgroups of the T _d point symmetry group. This work is based on the text of the lecture presented by the authors at the 5th All-Russia Conference on Molecular Modeling (Moscow, April 2007). The paper deals with the methodology and detailed treatment of applied aspects related to solution of enumeration problems for substituted derivatives with prescribed symmetry groups. Unlike the known methods of symmetry specified enumeration, the technique suggested is simple enough and may be regarded as generalization of the Pólya methodology, which is widely used by chemists. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 227–245, February, 2008.