Artificial enzyme catalysis controlled and driven by light

Bio-inspired chemistry based on photoresponsive molecules is a rapidly developing new strategy to mimic the function of various biological systems. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with molecular systems is ideally suited for the control and powering of dynamic processes at the speed of light. Besides typical applications in artificial photosynthesis, many other aspects, such as the catalytic turnover of substrates or the controlled release or uptake of small bioactive molecules, are readily verified with light-driven model systems. The potential of this novel approach in biomimetic chemistry is briefly explored in this concept article.