Metallocavitins as Advanced Enzyme Mimics and Promising Chemical Catalysts

The supramolecular approach is becoming increasingly dominant in biomimetics and chemical catalysis due to the expansion of enzyme active center idea, which now includes binding cavities (hydrophobic pockets), channels canals for transporting substrates products. For a long time, mimetic strategy was mainly focused on first coordination sphere metal ion. Understanding that highly organized cavity-like enzymatic pocket plays key role sophisticated functionality enzymes activity selectivity natural metalloenzymes are effects second sphere, created by protein framework, opens up new perspectives biomimetic chemistry catalysis. There two main goals mimicking catalysis: (1) scientific curiosity gain insight into mysterious nature enzymes, (2) practical tasks mankind: learn from adopt its many years evolutionary experience. within nanocavity (confinement effect) requires use relatively simple model systems. performance transition catalyst increases retention molecular nanocontainers (cavitins). Given greater potential synthesis, it hoped these promising bioinspired catalysts will achieve catalytic efficiency comparable even superior creations nature. Now obvious cavity structure real possibility modifying their provide unlimited possibilities simulating centers metalloenzymes. This review focus how reactivity controlled well-defined cavitin nanospace. author also intends discuss advanced metal–cavitin related study stages artificial photosynthesis, including energy transfer storage, water oxidation proton reduction, as well highlight current challenges activating small molecules, such H2O, CO2, N2, O2, H2, CH4.