Molecular biomimetics materials

Tan Y, Zhou Z, Wang P, Nie L, and Yao S. A study of a biomimetic recognition material for the BAW sensor by molecular imprinting and its application for the determination of paracetamol in the human serum and urine. Talanta 2001 55 337-347. 

Biomimetic oxidation catalysis has largely focused on complexes with planar tetradentate ligands such as manganese or iron porphyrins and related macrocyclic trans-chelates[5]. There is considerable interest in the synthesis of multinuclear metal complexes since these molecules might be useful as building block for magnetic molecular materials[6] and model compounds for understanding the properties of metalloproteins[7]. 

Nicholls, I. A., Andersson, H. S., Golker, K., Henschel, H., Karlsson, B. C. G., Olsson, G. D., Rosengren, A., Shoravi, S., Suri5ranara5 nan, S., Wiklander, J. G., Wikman, S. (2011). Rational design of biomimetic molecularly imprinted materials Theoretical and computational strategies for guiding nanoscale structured polymer development, 22. (2222 Chem.. 400,1771-1786. 

Hecht, S., and Frechet, J. M. J. "Dendritic Encapsulation of Function Applying Nature s Site Isolation Principle from Biomimetics to Materials Science." Angew. Chem. hit. Ed. Eng., 40,74-91 (2001). Zeng, F., and Zimmerman, S. C. "Dendrimers in Surpamolecular Chemistry From Molecular Recognition to Self-Assembly." Chem. Ren, 97,1681-1712 (1997). 

The development of highly selective chemical sensors for complex matrixes of medical, environmental, and industrial interest has been the object of greate research efforts in the last years. Recently, the use of artificial materials - molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) - with high recognition properties has been proposed for designing biomimetic sensors, but only a few sensor applications of MIPs based on electrosynythesized conductive polymers (MIEPs) have been reported [1-3]. 

In this chapter we describe the basic principles involved in the controlled production and modification of two-dimensional protein crystals. These are synthesized in nature as the outermost cell surface layer (S-layer) of prokaryotic organisms and have been successfully applied as basic building blocks in a biomolecular construction kit. Most importantly, the constituent subunits of the S-layer lattices have the capability to recrystallize into iso-porous closed monolayers in suspension, at liquid-surface interfaces, on lipid films, on liposomes, and on solid supports (e.g., silicon wafers, metals, and polymers). The self-assembled monomolecular lattices have been utilized for the immobilization of functional biomolecules in an ordered fashion and for their controlled confinement in defined areas of nanometer dimension. Thus, S-layers fulfill key requirements for the development of new supramolecular materials and enable the design of a broad spectrum of nanoscale devices, as required in molecular nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, and biomimetics [1-3]. 

Bakke et al. (1982) have shown how montmorillonite catalyses chlorination and nitration of toluene nitration leads to 56 % para and 41 % ortho derivative compared to approximately 40 % para and 60 % ortho derivatives in the absence of the catalyst. Montmorillonite clays have an acidity comparable to nitric acid / sulphuric acid mixtures and the use of iron-exchanged material (Clayfen) gives a remarkable improvement in the para, ortho ratio in the nitration of phenols. The nitration of estrones, which is relevant in making various estrogenic drugs, can be improved in a remarkable way by using molecular engineered layer structures (MELS), while a reduction in the cost by a factor of six has been indicated. With a Clayfen type catalyst, it seems possible to manipulate the para, ortho ratio drastically for a variety of substrates and this should be useful in the manufacture of fine chemicals. In principle, such catalysts may approach biomimetic chemistry our ability to predict selectivity is very limited. 

Mann, S. (1993) Molecular tectonics in biomineralization and biomimetic materials chemistry. Nature, 365, 499-505. 

Until a recent x-ray diffraction study (17) provided direct evidence of the arrangement of the pigment species in the reaction center of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas Viridis, a considerable amount of all evidence pertaining to the internal molecular architecture of plant or bacterial reaction centers was inferred from the results of in vitro spectroscopic experiments and from work on model systems (5, 18, 19). Aside from their use as indirect probes of the structure and function of plant and bacterial reaction centers, model studies have also provided insights into the development of potential biomimetic solar energy conversion systems. In this regard, the work of Netzel and co-workers (20-22) is particularly noteworthy, and in addition, is quite relevant to the material discussed at this conference. 

Malitesta C, Losito I, Zambonin PG. Molecularly imprinted electrosynthesized polymers new materials for biomimetic sensors. Anal Chem 1999 71 1366-1370. 

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