In this chapter, we describe some of the general strategies
implemented by the experimenter to challenge the immune system for the
production of antibodies that act as catalysts. Some representative strategies
include the use of haptens that are transition state analogues, the “bait and
switch” strategy and the concept of “reactive immunisation”. These protocols
have allowed the preparation of catalytic antibodies for various synthetic
transformations including reactions for which there is no enzymatic catalyst
available. In addition to its value for synthesis, this area of research provides
an opportunity to better understand the rules of enzyme catalysis.
