Opportunities When Chemistry Meets Biology in Catalysis and Synthesis

ABSTRACT Biosynthesis, utilizing highly evolved enzymes, achieves exceptional efficiency and precise stereo‐control under mild conditions. In contrast, chemical synthesis provides stability, flexibility, and broad applicability, enabling numerous transformations beyond natural metabolism. Although these two systems have complementary strengths and appear to operate under different synthetic philosophies, recent decades have revealed the exciting opportunities of integration strategy in molecular synthesis. Considering the fact that catalysis is the key of synthesis, this perspective highlights some representative examples in catalysis where chemistry and biology mutually inspire and extend one another. For chemical synthesis, biomimetic catalysis has evolved from coenzyme‐inspired small‐molecule systems to peptide frameworks and sophisticated metal complexes that replicate enzymatic logic, achieving efficiency and selectivity rivaling or surpassing natural enzymes. Conversely, chemical inspiration has reshaped biosynthesis through artificial metalloenzymes, enzyme repurposing, photoenzymatic catalysis, and dual chemo‐biocatalysis, thereby greatly expanding enzymatic reactivity beyond nature's repertoire. Emerging technologies including de novo enzyme design, directed evolution, and gene editing are enabling the creation of new‐to‐nature functions. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in rational design, catalytic efficiency, system compatibility, and scalability. Yet the trajectory of this field points to a future where chemocatalysis and biocatalysis will no longer be dramatically distinct, rather, they will integrate into a compatible framework for sustainable molecular synthesis.