Efficient Catalysis of Polysiloxane Synthesis by Silicateinα Requires Specific Hydroxy and Imidazole Functionalities

• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1521-3773(19990315)38:6<779::aid-anie779>3.0.co;2-
• Publication Date: 1999-03-15
• Authors: Yan Zhou; Katsuhiko Shimizu; N. Jennifer; Galen D. Stucky; Daniel E. Morse
• Keywords: Imidazole; Side chain

A protein isolated from a biosilica (shown schematically) catalyzes alkoxysilane polycondensation at neutral pH values and low temperatures. Replacement of either two specific side chain functionalities (Ser-26 His-165) significantly diminishes catalysis, supporting reaction mechanism analogous to that well-known enzyme is highly homologous the silica protein. These results may be useful in development synthetic catalysts for environmentally benign synthesis polysiloxanes.