Metal ions catalysis overview

This chapter has presented an overview of applications of DNA in metal ion catalysis. Three general approaches were outlined metal-dependent DNAzymes, DNA-directed and templated catalysis, and DNA-based asymmetric catalysis. 

Earlier work in this field has been thoroughly reviewed [1,2]. However, to illustrate in a sensible and logical way the evolution from simple metal ion promotion of acyl transfer in supramolecular complexes to supramolecular catalysts capable of turnover catalysis, an account of earlier work is appropriate. The following sections present a brief overview of our earlier observations related to the influence of alkaline-earth metal ions and their complexes with crown ethers on the alcoholysis of esters and of activated amides under basic conditions. 

The interaction of artificial metal ions/complexes with peptides/proteins [11], nucleic acids/DNA [12,13], enzymes [14], steroids [15] and carbohydrates [16] forms a bridge between natural and artificial macromolecular metal complexes. Biometal-organie chemistry concentrates on such complexes [17]. The reason for the increasing interest in this field lies in medical applications of metal complexes (cancer, photodynamic therapy of cancer, immunoassays, fluorescence markers, enantioselective catalysis, template orientated synthesis of peptides, etc.). Figure 2-4 presents an overview of metals in medicine [18]. Some examples are given below. 

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