Direct Synthesis\nof Artificial Esterase through Molecular\nImprinting Using a Substrate-Mimicking Acylthiourea Template

Most reported artificial esterases hydrolyze only activated\nesters.\nWe here report a one-pot synthesis of artificial esterases via molecular\nimprinting. An acylthiourea template hydrogen bonds with 4-vinylbenzoic\nacid and coordinates to a polymerizable zinc complex inside a cross-linkable\nsurfactant micelle. Double cross-linking of the micelle yields a polymeric\nnanoparticle catalyst that mimics a metalloenzyme to activate a water\nmolecule for nucleophilic attack on the bound ester. The catalyst\nhydrolyzes both activated and unactivated esters under mild conditions\nwith selectivity.