Wednesday Colloquia

Photoactivating C-H bonds inside Artificial Photoenzymes

by Prof. Jyotishman Dasgupta (DCS, TIFR)

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 from to (Asia/Kolkata)
at Lecture Theatre ( AG-66 )
TIFR
Description
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze non-spontaneous organic reactions in physiological conditions. Remarkably the water-insoluble organic substrates are usually encapsulated in hydrophobic protein cavities, which constitute reaction hotspots in enzymes.  At TIFR, we have devised a new catalytic paradigm using water-soluble cationic nanocages that mimic the enzyme cavity while providing a modular host-guest photoactivation strategy. [1] Through the potent combination of light activation and substrate pre-organization in water, we demonstrate facile yet selective aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbon C-H bonds under ambient conditions.[2] The success of our designed artificial photoenzyme hints at the crucial role of electric fields in driving reactions within nanospaces.   

References:

[1] R. Gera, A. Das, A. Jha and J. Dasgupta*; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 15909. 
[2] A. Das, I. Mandal, R. Venkatramani, J. Dasgupta*; submitted