Chemical Reaction Prediction Using Electron Flow and Molecular Graphs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chemical reaction prediction methods using SMILES strings fail to accurately represent molecular structures in a graph form, limiting the interpretation and prediction of chemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

A chemical reaction prediction system based on electron flow using a graph diffusion model, which models molecular structures as graphs, performs attention operations, and uses a memory and decoder to predict chemical reactions accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If SMILES strings are used to represent molecular structures, then the input format is simple and sequence-based, but the molecular graph structure is not sufficiently reflected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput format simplicityVSAvoidmolecular graph structure information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an embedding layer as an intermediary that converts SMILES string sequences into embedding vectors, which then serve as input to the GNN. This embedding layer acts as a bridge that preserves sequence-based simplicity while enabling graph structure representation through the subsequent GNN processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct use of SMILES strings (sequence-based mechanical representation) with a neural network-based embedding system. The embedding layer transforms sequential SMILES data into continuous vector representations that can be processed by GNN to capture graph structure information, substituting a mechanical string-based system with a learned representation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If graph-based approaches are used to represent molecules, then the molecular structure is accurately represented, but the complexity of the model increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolecular structure representation accuracyVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the embedding layer with the GNN architecture, where the embedding layer directly feeds into the GNN's node features. This integration combines the sequence processing capability of embedding layers with the graph structure processing capability of GNN in a unified model, reducing overall complexity while maintaining accurate molecular structure representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The GNN in the patent serves multiple functions: it processes the embedded molecular structure information, captures graph topology, predicts bond changes, and generates reaction products. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized modules, thereby managing model complexity while achieving accurate molecular representation and reaction prediction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If traditional prediction methods are used, then the computational process is simple, but the interpretability of chemical reaction mechanisms is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction speedVSAvoidchemical reaction mechanism interpretability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates attention mechanisms that provide feedback about which atoms and bonds are most important for the predicted reaction. The attention weights highlight key reactive sites and electron flow paths, making the reaction mechanism interpretable while maintaining efficient computation through the trained model's direct prediction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visualization techniques where different atoms, bonds, and reaction sites are highlighted with different colors or attention weights to indicate their importance in the reaction mechanism. This visual encoding makes the abstract computational process interpretable without slowing down the actual prediction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4668281A1Chemical reaction prediction system and its control method, and learning method of the chemical reaction prediction system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LG MANAGEMENT DEV INST CO LTD
  • EP4668281A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668281A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4668281A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a chemical reaction prediction system and a control method thereof, and a learning method of the chemical reaction prediction system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a chemical reaction prediction system performing forward reaction prediction based on an electron flow and a control method thereof, and a learning method of the chemical reaction prediction system.