Enzymatic immobilization of organometallic species: biosilification of NCN- and PCP-pincer metal species using demosponge axial filaments.

Silicatein protein filaments isolated from marine demosponges have been used to influence the condensation of siloxanes bearing organometallic pincer complexes. The siliceous material is formed under remarkably mild conditions and the organometallic pincer becomes an intrinsic part of the silica. The immobilisation of a metal pincer, which acts as a sensor and initial results on the immobilisation of a pre-catalytic pincer species are reported.