Stereoselective Nanozyme Based on Ceria Nanoparticles Engineered with Amino Acids

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Biocatalysis
• Chiral Chemistry

Background:

• Enzyme stereoselectivity is critical in biological processes.
• Amino acids serve as essential cofactors influencing enzyme stereochemistry.
• Developing artificial enzymes with high stereoselectivity is an ongoing challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct chiral nanozymes by grafting amino acids onto ceria nanoparticles.
• To investigate the stereoselective catalytic activity of these nanozymes using DOPA enantiomers.
• To explore the potential of nanozymes in chiral catalysis.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of ceria nanoparticles (CeNPs).
• Grafting of various d- and l-amino acids onto CeNP surfaces.
• Kinetic studies of DOPA enantiomer oxidation catalyzed by modified CeNPs.

Main Results:

• Phenylalanine-modified CeNPs exhibited optimal catalytic activity and stereoselectivity for DOPA oxidation.
• l-Phenylalanine-modified CeNPs preferentially oxidized d-DOPA.
• d-Phenylalanine-modified CeNPs showed higher efficiency in oxidizing l-DOPA.

Conclusions:

• Chiral nanozymes with tunable stereoselectivity can be engineered by surface modification with chiral molecules.
• This approach offers a promising strategy for designing novel catalysts for enantioselective synthesis.
• The findings pave the way for advanced applications in asymmetric catalysis and drug development.