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Catalytic polymeric nanoreactors: more than a solid supported catalyst

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Abstract

Polymeric nanostructures can be synthesized where the catalytic motif is covalently attached within the core domain and protected from the environment by a polymeric shell. Such nanoreactors can be easily recycled, and have shown unique properties when catalyzing reactions under pseudohomogeneous conditions. Many examples of how these catalytic nanostructures can act as nanosized reaction vessels have been reported in the literature. This prospective will focus on the exclusive features observed for these catalytic systems and highlight their potential as enzyme mimics, as well as the importance of further studies to unveil their full potential.

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Acknowledgment

The EPSRC and AWE are thanked for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

    Pepa Cotanda, Nikos Petzetakis & Rachel K. O’Reilly

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  1. Pepa Cotanda
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  2. Nikos Petzetakis
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  3. Rachel K. O’Reilly
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Correspondence to Rachel K. O’Reilly.

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Cotanda, P., Petzetakis, N. & O’Reilly, R.K. Catalytic polymeric nanoreactors: more than a solid supported catalyst. MRS Communications 2, 119–126 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2012.26

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