Catechol-based biomimetic (supra)molecular nanostructures: from synthesis to applications

Catechols are found in nature taking part in an astonishing diversity of biochemical processes and functions. Though no exclusive, such versatility may be traced mainly to four properties uniquely found together in the o-dihydroxyaryl chemical function; namely, the establishment of reversible equilibria at moderate redox potentials and pHs; its ability to irreversibly cross-link through complex oxidation mechanisms; its excellent chelating properties, greatly exemplified by, but by no means exclusive, to the binding of Fe(III); and the diverse modes of interaction of the vicinal hydroxyl groups with all kinds of surfaces of remarkably different chemical and physical nature. Thanks to this diversity, catechols can be found either as simple molecular systems, forming part of supramolacular structures, coordinated to different metal ions or as macromolecules mostly fruit of polymerization mechanisms through covalent bonds. Such versatility has allowed catechols to participate in several natural processes and functions that range from the adhesive properties of marine organisms to melanin.

According to such astonishing range of functionalities, many scientists worldwide have been studying and mimicking these natural systems to develop new active materials and coatings. For some of them, feasible applications are still in the initial phase, though for some others our society has been taking advantage for many years. A detailed revision of our work in the area is discussed in this Seminar.

Acknowledgements:

Supported by grant RTI2018-098027-B-C21from the Spanish Government funds and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). ICN2 is funded by the CERCA Program/Generalitat de Catalunya. ICN2 is supported by the Severo Ochoa program from Spanish MINECO (Grant No. SEV-2017-0706).

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