Non-covalent catalysis

Non-covalent catalysis involves speeding up chemical reactions through reversible interactions that do not involve forming permanent bonds. Instead, catalysts use forces like hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, or electrostatic interactions to properly align and stabilize reacting molecules, lowering the energy needed to reach products. This approach allows the catalyst to assist reactions more gently and selectively, often mimicking how natural enzymes work. Because these interactions are temporary and dynamic, non-covalent catalysis offers efficient, specific, and reusable ways to accelerate chemical processes without permanently altering the molecules involved.