Nature's enzymes are extremely efficient catalysts. Their remarkable properties result from precise preorganization of the local environment and functional groups around the catalytic sites and close participation of metal ions, prosthetic groups and cofactors. Enzyme-inspired nanoscale catalysts, including dendrimers, functional polymers, and supramolecular assemblies, have been the subject of intensive investigation. Like enzymes, many of these chemist-designed catalysts feature spatially pre-organized functional groups, hydrophobic interiors/hydrophilic exteriors, and catalytic sites isolated from the bulk solvent.<br/>In this presentation, I shall discuss several examples of enzyme-inspired branched macromolecules with catalytic activities unattainable with small-molecule versions of the same catalytic moieties. The presentation will have a specific focus on Grubbs-type alkene metathesis catalysts for ring-opening polymerizations of monomers with low degrees of strain and palladium-NHC cross-coupling catalysts not susceptible to aggregation.

Organotransition metal catalysts confined in dispersible macromolecules

250th National Meeting (2015)

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