Bioinspired Metal Complexes as Catalysts: Bridging Enzymatic and Synthetic Pathways for Green Chemistry

Abstract

Bioinspired metal complexes are highly efficient and selective catalytic systems that provide a way to mimic the enzymatic process in the chemical synthesis for green chemistry. These synthetic metal complexes, meant to emulate the operations of natural enzymes, are eco-friendly,cost-effective alternatives to other catalysts because they work effectively under low temperatures, with few by-products produced in the process. In this research, various bioinspired metal catalysts including manganese, copper, and nickel have been explored for their catalytic application in oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation and C–C bond formation reactions. These catalysts have high turnover frequencies, high product selectivity and reusability which show that these catalysts can be useful for chemical industry processes. However, there are various issues that exist like stability, cost and scalability of such methods and these remain as further research questions. This work underscores the importance of bio-inspired metal catalysts in the furtherance of green chemistry by offering sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective ways to replace conventional catalytic methods, which could potentially revolutionize industries and aid in the creation of sustainable technologies in the future.