Supramolecular Catalysis of Phosphoryl Transfer

Abstract

Reactivity and catalysis represent major features of the functional properties of supramolecular systems. Molecular receptors bearing appropriate functional groups may bind selectively to a substrate, react with it, and release the products. Supramolecular reactivity and catalysis thus involve two main steps: recognition of the substrate followed by transformation of the bound species into products. The design of efficient and selective molecular catalysts may give mechanistic insight into the elementary steps of catalysis, provide new types of chemical reagents, and produce models of reactions effected by enzymes that reveal factors contributing to enzymatic catalysis.