Mimicking Enzymatic Active Sites on Surfaces for Energy Conversion Chemistry

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.5b00172
• Publication Date: 2015-06-29T14:22:17Z
• Authors: Rico Gutzler; Sebastian Stepanow; Doris Grumelli; Magalı́ Lingenfelder; Klaus Kern
• Keywords: Coordination complex; Enzyme Catalysis

Metal-organic supramolecular chemistry on surfaces has matured to a point where its underlying growth mechanisms are well understood and structures of defined coordination environments metal atoms can be synthesized in controlled reproducible procedure. With surface-confined molecular self-assembly, scientists have tool box at hand which used prepare with desired properties, as for example oxidation number spin state the transition within organic matrix. From structural view, these sites structure resemble catalytically active metallo-enzymes, both characterized by centers coordinated ligands. Several chemical reactions take place embedded ions enzymes question arises whether also using metal-organic networks catalysts. Mimicking site ligands artificial systems is key understanding selectivity efficiency enzymatic reactions. Their catalytic activity depends various parameters including charge configuration ion, but environment, stabilize intermediate reaction products, inhibits deactivation, serves mostly transport channel reactants products therefore ensures enzyme. Charge depend one specific element, other environment. These two carefully adjusted surface confined networks, virtue combinatorial mixing building synthons. Different varying functional groups combined several metals spontaneously assemble into ordered networks. The adequately separated linking molecules constitute promising candiates heterogeneous Recent advances synthesis, characterization, performance highlighted this Account. Experimental results like determination distribution centers, electrochemical presented. In particular, we describe oxygen reduction scanning tunneling microscopy study. similarities differences compared metallo-enzymes will discussed, such that operates geometric template concomitantly functions an electron reservoir, how leads new class bioinspired possibility create two-dimensional complexes taking inspiration from nature opens up route design potent nanocatalyst materials energy conversion.