Dynamically Adaptive Catalytic Capsules on Solid Supports

The chemist's quest to transform matter has benefitted from tremendous advances in recent years, with new methods and techniques in chemical synthesis appearing at an accelerating pace. The majority of transformations in the synthetic chemist's toolbox require large inputs of energy, organic solvents, and protecting groups that serve as chemical masking tape, fulfilling their purpose and then being discarded. It would be of benefit to reduce the amounts of all three inputs for both ecological and economic reasons.Biological systems carry out chemistry in water efficiently and economically, using assembly lines of enzymes to piece molecules together. Biological receptors and catalysts differ from synthetic versions in that their functions have been honed through the selective pressures of evolution as opposed to design from first principles, allowing their function to be tuned in ways that the cleverest designer might find hard to predict. All living matter bears witness to the incredible chemical and systemic complexity that can be achieved through the 'blind' design of natural selection.The goal of this project is to create a new class of molecular containers capable of evolving to bind different guests with high affinity. This adaptation will find use in the creation of guest-specific sensors and enzyme-like catalysts, as cages are tailor-made to lower the activation energy for specific reactions. The ability to quickly make designer catalysts for different reactions, coupled with the ability to operate in water, could render these catalytic capsules industrially useful as green nano-reactors. Immobilisation of templated capsules on solid supports will allow for the creation of flow reactors (nano assembly lines) and sensors tailored to specific substrates and analytes.

Beyond the academic community, we have identified the following groups of stakeholder beneficiaries of this work: Industry: A key aim of the proposed project is to develop a methodology for the generation of a new type of catalytic system capable of addressing key problems encountered by current products and bring a new platform for green and recyclable catalysts to the chemical industry, one of the largest manufacturing industries in the UK. These receptors and catalysts would work in water, and potentially lead to the development and adaptation of processes that lead to less organic solvent and energy use and thus to a lower carbon footprint. General public: Appreciation and public support for scientific progress have underpinned technological progress in the UK ever since the practice of science became professionalised in the 19th century. We are committed to maintaining our side of this dialogue through explaining to the public what we do and why. One mechanism for this is press coverage of our research programme. Our recent Science paper generated a dozen stories in newspapers, TV, and radio across more than five countries, all with a positive bent. Another public benefit arises from synergies between this research project and an ongoing project in the group that is carried out under the auspices of the Home Office - Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Directorate, in which cage compounds will trap and render harmless chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The development of templated cages that are capable of catalytically destroying CWAs could save the lives of members of the public. Likewise, sensors built from dynamically-templated cages will be targeted to sense explosive molecules favoured by terrorists, such as TATP, which are currently difficult to detect. Museums and Conservation: Positive overlaps and synergies are foreseen between this project and a separate project in the group, undertaken in collaboration with Dr Mark Jones, head of conservation at the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth. We are investigating new means to preserve and strengthen waterlogged wood artefacts through the dynamic construction of cross-linked polymeric materials within the pores of these artefacts. Sensors developed in the present project could be employed to diagnose different decay processes by sensing their by-products, allowing treatments to be tailored to individual artefacts. What will be done to ensure that they benefit from this research? Industry: We have already entered into discussion with Cambridge Enterprise, the University's technology transfer office regarding IP protection issuing from the cages that we have already prepared. We will continue these discussions, meeting as required over the life of the project to make sure that relevant IP is patented, potential licensees are recognised, and that possibilities for launching spin-outs are also properly identified. Communications and engagement: Impacts will be realised internationally through a wide spectrum of activities; by public outreach through our established relationships with the media and museums, by lectures and displays to specialists and the general public during conferences and symposia, through our web site and the web sites of our collaborators, and by press releases through the University's Office of Communications. Our strategy for publication has proven amenable to media engagement - three of our recent publications have been picked up and highlighted by the broader media. The PI and all members of the research group participate in the annual Cambridge Science Festival to present posters, deliver public lectures, and organise hands-on scientific activities and demonstrations. We will use cartoon schemes to help introduce the general public to the basic concepts of chemical self-assembly, whose aesthetic appeal can readily be appreciated by the general public. This could help inspire young people to pursue careers in science.