Electric Fields in Catalysis: From Enzymes to Molecular Catalysts
Nadia G. Léonard, Rakia Dhaoui, Teera Chantarojsiri, Jenny Y. Yang
Abstract
Electric fields underlie all reactions and impact reactivity by interacting with the dipoles and net charges of transition states, products, and reactants to modify the free energy landscape. However, they are rarely given deliberate consideration in synthetic design to rationally control reactivity. This Perspective discusses the commonalities of electric field effects across multiple platforms, from enzymes to molecular catalysts, and identifies practical challenges to applying them in synthetic molecular systems to mediate reactivity.
Topics & Concepts
Reactivity (psychology)CatalysisElectric fieldEnzyme catalysisDipoleChemistryChemical physicsCombinatorial chemistryNanotechnologyComputational chemistryMaterials scienceOrganic chemistryPhysicsAlternative medicinePathologyQuantum mechanicsMedicineMolecular Junctions and NanostructuresElectrochemical sensors and biosensorsEnzyme Catalysis and Immobilization