Abstract: In many aspects, similitude exists between man-made catalysts and enzymes. Can scientific insight into this similitude stimulate new research directions in catalysis? More precisely, can the understanding of the mechanisms of activity control in enzymes suggest new advances for man-made catalysts? Indeed, it is already possible to design catalysts with (i) new structures (e.g. presence of several phases) and (ii) a better balance between the roles of the different components. The ambition is to keep the essential advantages of solids as catalysts, in particular robustness, easy separation from products, and tolerance to high temperatures, while adding the advantages typical of enzymes, like more activity, allostery, and more precise control of selectivity, in particular enantioselectivity. The ambition is to build a bridge between robust man-made functional solids and fragile but extremely selective enzymes. For that, results from a line of the work in our group will be used.

Key words: inorganic catalyst, enzyme, activity, selectivity