DNA-scaffolded catalysis

A longstanding goal in supramolecular chemistry has been to enhance the functionality of abiotic catalysts by attaching them to 3D scaffolds, analogous to enzyme active sites. Recent advances in DNA synthesis, DNA sequencing, and DNA-compatible chemical reactions open opportunities to enhance the function and accelerate the discovery of abiotic catalysts by interfacing them with DNA. Here we highlight the ways in which DNA has been merged with abiotic catalysis, including stereoselectivity, regioselectivity, switchability, and scaffolding of multiple reaction components. Furthermore, we describe how the programmable self-assembly and information-encoding properties of DNA enable high-throughput screening of abiotic chemical reactions. We discuss key advances, challenges, and opportunities to harness the potential of synthetic DNA as a scaffold for abiotic catalysis.