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Enzyme mimetics or artificial enzymes are a class of catalysts that have been actively pursued for decades and have heralded much interest as potentially viable alternatives to natural enzymes. Enzyme mimetics have the desired advantages of tunable structures and catalytic efficiencies, excellent tolerance to experimental conditions, lower cost, low molecular weight and purely synthetic routes to their preparation. Although still in the midst of development, impressive advances have already been made. Enzyme mimetics have shown immense potential in the catalysis of a wide range of chemical and biological reactions, the development of chemical and biological sensing and anti-biofouling systems, and the production of pharmaceuticals and clean fuels. This Review concerns the development of various types of enzyme mimetics, namely manganese-salen derived and enzyme mimetics, with an emphasis on their synthesis, catalytic properties, and theoretical studies. It provides an introduction to enzyme mimetics and a comprehensive summary of the advances and current standings of their preparations and seeks to inspire researchers to perfect the design and synthesis of enzyme mimetics.
