One of the paramount goals in modern science is to design and realize artificial nanostructures that rival biological systems in terms of structural complexity, functionality and efficiency. As perfected by cells, to regulate thousands of incompatible chemical transformations simultaneously, compartmentalization and communication between compartments are crucial. Cells use confined subcellular compartments with active multi-enzymatic complexes assembled to circumvent mutual interferences.<br/>Inspired by nature, we have developed compartmentalized nanoreactors with responsiveness to external triggers and compound selectivity for incompatible tandem catalysis. The nanoreactor is based on amphiphilic triblock copolymers of poly(2-oxazoline)s with orthogonal functional groups on the polymer end and the side-chains. Stimuli-responsive bi-functionalized spiropyran was used to cross-link the micelles covalently giving us a trigger for light-induced ‘breathing’ feature and tunable permeability of the nanostructure shells. Two metal catalysts are spatially immobilized into the hydrophilic corona and the hydrophobic micelle core, respectively. Prior to UV exposure, the hydrophobic cross-linked layers can prevent hydrophilic reagents from diffusing into the core, thereby depressing or minimizing unnecessary competing processes and potentially catalyst poisoning. UV exposure switches the spiropyran into its merocyanine structure, increasing the hydrophilicity of the corona of the SCMs and enabling substrate diffusions between compartments to promote tandem catalysis. Thus, by simply controlling light exposure, we can depress unnecessary competing steps, regulate overall catalysis kinetic progress and facilitate otherwise low yielding tandem catalysis.

Nature-inspired nanoreactors for incompatible tandem catalysis

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.