The art of compartment design for synthetic catalysts

Abstract

Confining synthetic catalysts in nanoscopic compartments has been gaining traction as a method to introduce additional levels of control in catalytic transformations. Running reactions inside of compartments is ubiquitous in biology, and recent attention has turned toward applying the same principles to synthetic systems. This perspective attempts to elucidate compartment design principles and identify shortcomings of current methodologies. We start by using enzymes as an exemplar model system for biological compartments, extrapolate guiding principles, and apply them to organometallic catalysts. Structure and space are then explored as overarching design principles at work in compartmentalization. Finally, suggestions for future directions are provided. Compartmentalization has the potential to become a powerful synthetic tool, however, further work in understanding the fundamental principles at play is required. Herein, compartmentalization is presented as an important synthetic strategy guided by biomimicry.