ENZYME MIMICS

Binding both ends of a substrate to a catalyst can lead to selective functionalization reactions, and also to very strong binding. Attachment of coenzymes such as pyridoxamine or thiamine derivatives to binding groups produces catalysts that show enzyme-like selectivities. When two functional groups are attached to a binding group the resulting catalysts are good mimics of enzymatic transaminases and ribonucleases. Studies on enzyme mimics show the importance of limiting the degrees of freedom in a catalyst, but retaining some flexibility. © 1990, IUPAC.