Biomimic process

Common catalytic systems are characterized by the presence of reagent molecules only, whereas the enzymatic system is multicomponent and possesses low concentrations of the substrates in water. The interaction between a substrate with an oxidant or a reducer is most often considered. This makes unnecessary simulation of the enzyme selectivity. However, free contact of reagent molecules with active sites preserves the possibility of various mechanism realizations which is the reason for decrease of the process selectivity. Apparently, a compromise should be found in resolving the question of selectivity in biomimics development in suggesting that, though complex gap mechanism is the effective method for distance and mutual orientation control of reactive groups in the enzyme, it may hardly be implemented in synthetic systems. 

The occurred activated complex may induce formation of either epoxide or allyl alcohol. However, under current experimental conditions the biomimic possesses exclusive epoxi-dizing ability, and the catalytic cycle is completed at this stage. The number of cycles per perFTPhPFe(III)OH mole under optimal process conditions is 80 per hour [82], This example of the mimetic catalysis indicates the unity of acidic-basic and redox mechanisms typical of the enzyme catalysis. 

Calix[ ]arenes are a family of macrocycles prepared by condensation reactions between n /v/ra-substituted phenols and n formaldehyde molecules under either base or acid catalysis. Different sizes of the macrocycles can be obtained (n = 4-20) (Stewart and Gutsche, 1999) depending on the exact experimental conditions, which were mastered in the 1960 s (Gutsche, 1998), but the most common receptors are those with n =4,6,8 (macrocycles with an odd number of phenol units are more difficult to synthesize). We use here the simplified nomenclature in which the number of phenolic units is indicated between square brackets and para substituents are listed first.4 Calixarenes, which can be easily derivatized both on the para positions of the phenolic units and on the hydroxyl groups, have been primarily developed for catalytic processes and as biomimics, but it was soon realized that they can also easily encapsulate metal ions and the first complexes with d-transition metal ions were isolated in the mid-1980 s (Olmstead et al., 1985). Jack Harrowfield characterized the first lanthanide complex with a calixarene in 1987, a bimetallic europium complex with p-terf-butylcalix[8]arene (Furphy etal., 1987). 

Onsager L (1931) Reciprocal relations in irreversible processes. I. Phys Rev 37 405-426 Otero TF (2008) Reactive conducting polymers as actuating sensors and tactile muscles. Bioinspir Biomim 3(3) 1-9... 

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