Quantum molecular similarity via momentum-space indices

A method for assessing quantum molecular similarity has been developed based on the momentum-space representation. The principles of the method are summarized and the results of two applications are presented. The approach emphasizes the variation of the outer valence electron density much more than the bonding topology, it avoids several problems associated with more conventional approaches based on the position-space representation, and it can now be applied to extended series of large molecules. The first of the applications involves different sulfonylurea inhibitors of the enzyme acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). The second is concerned with the relative toxicity of a number of anti-HIV phospholipids. Further experimental work is suggested in both cases.