A multifunctional surfactant catalyst inspired by hydrolases
Mitchell D. Nothling, Zeyun Xiao, Nicholas S. Hill, Mitchell T. Blyth, Ayana Bhaskaran, Marc‐Antoine Sani, Andrea Espinosa-Gomez, Kevin Ngov, Jonathan M. White, Tim Buscher, Frances Separovic, Megan L. O’Mara, Michelle L. Coote, Luke A. Connal
Abstract
H) on a single, trifunctional surfactant molecule. To support this, we recreate the hydrogen bond donating arrangement of the oxyanion hole by imparting surfactant functionality to a guanidinium headgroup. Self-assembly of these amphiphiles in solution drives the collection of functional headgroups into close proximity around a hydrophobic nano-environment, affording hydrolysis of a model ester at rates that challenge α-chymotrypsin. Structural assessment via NMR and XRD, paired with MD simulation and QM calculation, reveals marked similarities of the co-micelle catalyst to native enzymes.