Local electric field can enhance
reactivity in molecular catalysts for various chemical transformation

Teera Chantarojsiri

Enzymes efficiently catalyze chemical reactions in nature. Besides the active sites, secondary coordination spheres, especially electrostatic interactions, play an important role in lower the energy barrier. Learning from the design of nature, local electric field can also be applied in molecular catalysts to enhance reactivity. This review explores the current examples of enhanced catalysis through electrostatic interactions and discuss how it can be used in catalyst design to improve reactivity.

This work is done in a collaboration with Professor Jenny Y. Yang from the Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine. Knowledge obtained from this work will benefit researchers who are studying electrostatic effects in chemical reactions, which will lead to the design of energy-efficient catalysts. Associated SDG goals are Affordable and Clean Energy (7) and Partnerships for the Goals (17).