We use explicit-solvent fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, permitting all the interactions between the atoms constituting the polymeric chiral stationary phase (CSP), the solvent molecules and the drug molecule enantiomers, to better understand the chiral recognition mechanism that makes chromatographic separation possible. Using amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) (ADMPC) as prototype, three solvent systems, and ten racemates as solutes, we seek a molecular dynamics average quantity that could serve as a metric that predicts which of the two enantiomers will elute first and also correlates with the ratio of retention times for enantiomers. To better understand the molecular dynamic chiral recognition that provides the discrimination which results in the separation of enantiomers by high performance liquid chromatography, we examine the differences in hydrogen bonding lifetimes in various donor–acceptor pairs between the drugs and the ADMPC, and map out the differences in ring-ring interactions between the drugs and the ADMPC. Several MD average quantities related to hydrogen-bonding lifetimes correlate with the ratio of retention times for the enantiomers. One of these quantities provides a prediction of the correct elution order 90% of the time, and the ratios of these quantities for the enantiomers provide linear correlation (0.85 coefficient) with experimental separation factors. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

In this report we have discussed the important role of molecular modeling, especially the use of the molecular dynamics method, in investigating transport processes in nanoporous materials such as membranes. With the availability of high performance computers, molecular modeling can now be used to study rather complex systems at a fraction of the cost or time requirements of experimental studies. Molecular modeling techniques have the advantage of being able to access spatial and temporal resolution which are difficult to reach in experimental studies. For example, sub-Angstrom level spatial resolution is very accessible as is sub-femtosecond temporal resolution. Due to these advantages, simulation can play two important roles: Firstly because of the increased spatial and temporal resolution, it can help understand phenomena not well understood. As an example, we discuss the study of reverse osmosis processes. Before simulations were used it was thought the separation of water from salt was purely a coulombic phenomenon. However, by applying molecular simulation techniques, it was clearly demonstrated that the solvation of ions made the separation in effect a steric separation and it was the flux which was strongly affected by the coulombic interactions between water and the membrane surface. Additionally, because of their relatively low cost and quick turnaround (by using multiple processor systems now increasingly available) simulations can be a useful screening tool to identify membranes for a potential application. To this end, we have described our studies in determining the most suitable zeolite membrane for redox flow battery applications. As computing facilities become more widely available and new computational methods are developed, we believe molecular modeling will become a key tool in the study of transport processes in nanoporous materials.