Bio-inspired and single site metal complex catalysts have been discussed to direct towards a rational design of solid heterogeneous catalysts. When concepts derived from catalytic antibodies, molecular imprinting and molecular recognition, and site isolation and modification by appropriate ligands are combined, with new techniques to prepare, tailor made solid materials, catalysts can be prepared that improve reaction rate and selectivity by increasing the concentration and activation of reactants in the vicinity of the active sites, and by stabilizing transition states or intermediate products. It is also shown that enzymatic, homogeneous and hetergeneous catalysts can be combined to perform "one-pot" cascade reactions.