Abstract: A process is disclosed by which a substrate is catalytically converted to a cis olefin via a syn elimination reaction. The catalyst is a monoclonal antibody or paratope-containing molecule that binds to the substrate as well as to a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane or bicylo[2.2.2]octane compound that is an analogue to the substrate having its bulky substituents in eclipsed positions. The chemical reaction is carried out in an aqueous medium. The catalyst molecules and hybridoma cells that secrete those molecules are also contemplated, as is a process for using cyclopentadiene or cyclohexadiene to prepare a hapten used to induce production of the catalyst molecules.

Abstract: An analog-ligand having a conformation that substantially corresponds to the conformation of a hydrolytic transition state of an amide or ester reactant ligand is used to produce receptor molecules of predetermined specificity. The receptor molecules include an antibody combining site that binds to a reactant ligand and thereby stabilizes the tetrahedral carbon atom of the amide or ester hydrolysis transition state of that reactant ligand to catalytically hydrolyze the reactant ligand at a predetermined site.