Transient Substrate-Induced Catalyst Formation in a Dynamic Molecular Network

In biology enzyme concentrations are continuously regulated, yet for synthetic catalytic systems such regulatory mechanisms are underdeveloped. We now report how a substrate of a chemical reaction induces the formation of its own catalyst from a dynamic molecular network. After complete conversion of the substrate, the network disassembles the catalyst. These results open up new opportunities for controlling catalysis in synthetic chemical systems. Substrate‐induced catalyst formation was achieved which is similar to the continuous regulation of enzymes in biology. A dynamic molecular network responds to the substrate by transiently producing the catalyst required for its transformation. As soon as the substrate is consumed, the network disassembles the catalyst again. These results open up new opportunities for controlling catalysis in synthetic chemical systems.