Current Applications of Artificial Metalloenzymes and Future Developments

In between traditional homogeneous metal catalysts and enzyme catalysts, a new class of hybrid catalysts named artificial metalloenzymes resulting from the controlled embedding of transition metal species (ions, synthetic inorganic or organometallic complexes) within natural, genetically-engineered or even de novo protein scaffolds currently undergoes a tremendous development at the academic level. This family of hybrid assemblies ideally combines the features of their individual components, allowing a wide range of chemical reactions, including new-to-nature reactions, to be catalyzed under mild, eco-compatible conditions with high chemo-and/or stereoselectivity. This chapter intends to summarize the most remarkable achievements in artificial metalloenzyme design and properties with emphasis put on industrially relevant chemical reactions, including oxidations, imine reductions, CC and C-N bonds formation. It also gives an up-to-date survey on the most advanced applications of artificial metalloenzymes in cascade reactions and in vivo catalysis.