Characteristics of Biological Models

Enzyme mimics , Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl., 1994, 33, 551-553. 

Enzymes induce fast reaction rates under mild conditions. 

Enzymes show a high degree of structural and chiral recognition of their substrates. 

Each enzyme molecule catalyses the reaction of a huge number of substrate molecules without being destroyed itself (i.e. it has a high turnover number). 

Enzymes are subject to competitive inhibition by compounds that bind to the enzyme but do not react themselves. 

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In order to address the characteristics of biological models, we have to first define the basic principles of biological systems that a supramolecular model may mimic. Among the most important are selective molecular recognition of a molecular entity selective and highly accelerated modification of a substrate (typieal role of enzymes) compartmentalization and selective translocation of chemical species across boundaries (typieal role of biomembranes) harvesting and transformation of energy and self-replication. 

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