Rational Design and Synthesis of an Artificial Enzyme for S(N)2 Reactions through Micellar Imprinting

The rational design of catalysts with enzyme-like properties is an elusive goal of chemists despite tremendous interest. Molecular imprinting inside surfactant micelles, followed by postmodification, creates a tailored active site in a water-soluble polymeric "artificial enzyme" for the benzylation of 4-nitrophenol. The reaction happens under neutral conditions with excellent substrate selectivity. Similar to many enzymes, electrostatics play vital roles in catalysis and can be tuned through different bases introduced into the active site.