Bio-Inspired Supramolecular Organocatalysis: Engineering Chiral Microenvironments with Biopolymers

Develop hybrid catalytic systems by embedding well-established small-molecule organocatalysts (e.g., proline derivatives or chiral phosphoric acids) within structured biopolymer networks such as films of chiral cellulose nanocrystals or silk fibroin hydrogels. This biopolymer scaffold creates a unique chiral microenvironment around the active site, providing secondary non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonding, steric hindrance, hydrophobic effects) that enhance selectivity beyond what small molecules alone can achieve. Systematically vary biopolymer type, cross-linking density, and water content to fine-tune selectivity, resulting in sustainable, high-performance, and fully recyclable organobio-hybrid catalysts.

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