Advances in photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system

Abstract

Photosynthesis, as an efficient pathway for solar energy capture and utilization, has supported aerobionts for billions of years. The imitation of photosynthesis to construct artificial photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system has become a powerful means to solve energy and environmental problems. After years of in-depth research on this coupled system, through ingenious and rational design, the synergistic effect of photo- and enzymatic catalyses has played a significant role in many different fields, including solar-driven fuel production, chiral chemical synthesis and carbon dioxide fixation. Furthermore, light in enzymatic catalysis could also endow enzyme new possibilities. Photo-induced radical cofactor could bring catalytic promiscuity to enzymes, making them catalyze reactions that natural enzymes cannot. This review summarizes the advances in photo-enzymatic-coupling catalysis system and introduces its essential components, their integration and application. The possibilities presented by photo-induced catalytic promiscuity and its significance for expanding the toolbox of enzymes are also discussed.