Optimization Layers
Systematic improvements and methodological refinements that enhance experimental outcomes beyond published benchmarks.
What is an Optimization Layer?
An Optimization Layer documents systematic improvements to a published methodology. These layers capture practical enhancements that increase efficiency, reduce costs, simplify procedures, or expand substrate scope.
Optimization layers help the community build on published work by sharing practical refinements that enhance reproducibility and applicability. They represent valuable incremental progress that bridges academic publications and real-world implementation.
How to Add an Optimization Layer
1Identify the Improvement
Determine what aspect of the methodology you optimized. Common categories include:
- Increased yield or selectivity
- Reduced reaction time or temperature
- Simplified purification or workup
- Cost reduction (cheaper catalysts, solvents, or reagents)
- Improved operational safety or convenience
- Expanded substrate tolerance
Key requirement: Optimizations must include quantitative comparison to the original published method.
2Navigate to Add Layer
Open the insight page, scroll to the Layers section, click "Add Layer," and select "Optimization" from the layer type menu.
3Document the Enhancement
Write a concise description of your optimization. Include:
- Modified parameters (catalyst loading, temperature, solvent, time)
- Quantitative comparison (original yield vs. optimized yield)
- Any substrate-specific considerations
- Rationale for the modification (if relevant)
Tip: Present data transparently. If an optimization works well for some substrates but not others, specify the scope clearly.
Example
Catalyst Loading Reduction
"Reduced photocatalyst loading from 1 mol% to 0.25 mol% Ir[dF(CF₃)ppy]₂(dtbbpy)PF₆ while maintaining 78–82% yield (original paper: 85% at 1 mol%). Extended reaction time from 16h to 24h. Tested with electron-neutral aryl bromides; optimization provides a 4-fold cost reduction in photocatalyst with minimal yield penalty. Not suitable for electron-rich substrates (<50% yield at reduced loading)."
Common Pitfalls
Lack of quantitative data
Always provide specific numbers (yields, times, temperatures) instead of qualitative claims like "worked better."
Missing comparison baseline
State both the original result and your optimized result so readers can evaluate the improvement magnitude.
Overstating generality
If your optimization was tested on a limited substrate set, acknowledge this and avoid claiming universal applicability.