Acid-Functionalized Artificial Enzymes with Tunable Selectivity for Vinyl Ether Hydrolysis

Enzymesoften employ catalytic groups with a medium or low intrinsicactivity for highly challenging catalytic tasks. In this work, wereport nanoparticle catalysts with accurately positioned carboxylicacids through either a covalent or noncovalent imprinting technique.The rationally designed active site allows the catalysis to be highlyselective or quite unselective with respect to the substrate. Withthe proper catalyst, the hydrolysis proceeds smoothly in neutral wateror even a slightly basic solution at room temperature.

Automated summary

In this work, nanoparticle catalysts with accurately positioned carboxylic acids are reported, achieved through either covalent or noncovalent imprinting technique. The rationally designed active site enables highly selective or unselective catalysis towards the substrate. With the appropriate catalyst, hydrolysis can proceed smoothly in neutral water or slightly basic solution at room temperature.