Bioinspired Catalysis with Biomimetic Clusters

Biomimetic clusters dubbed inorganic complexes are the foci of many enzymes that are frequently earmarked for biochemical pathways. Specifically, the biomimetic clusters are made up of transition metal(s) chelated with organic ligands. This book chapter details redox active enzymes for the most fundamental biochemical processes. Bio-inorganic chemists have been synthesizing numerous biomimetic clusters that have the ability not only to mimic the active site structural features but also to mimic their functions. In a similar vein, the fixation of nitrogen into ammonia is akin to the fundamental biological process and thus can be considered a biomimetic biological process. Therefore, novel materials, including electrides, nitrides, hydrides, and basic oxides, have created a niche in facilitating biochemical reaction products. Insights into biomimetic clusters, especially inorganic catalysts’ mimics, new materials facilitating biological chemistries, and their mechanisms will uncover new avenues for small molecule activation, with different catalytic mechanisms yet to be elucidated.

Keywords: Biomimetic, Bio-inorganic complexes, β-Lactamase, Heterogenous catalysis, Nitrogenase, N2 activation, Phosphatase.