Bioinspired Ether Cyclizations within a π-Basic Capsule Compared to Autocatalysis on π-Acidic Surfaces and
Xiaoyu Hao1,2,3, Tian-Ren Li2,4, Hao Chen1,2
1Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest Ansermet 30, CH-1121, Geneva, Switzerland.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 1, 2021
Summary
Supramolecular capsules accelerate ether cyclizations with unprecedented speed and selectivity. Complementary surface catalysis shows unique autocatalysis, selective for product-like co-catalysts but not enantioselective.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Catalysis
Background:
- Integrating supramolecular chemistry into catalysis is gaining traction.
- Comparative assessments of supramolecular catalysts are challenging.
- Ether cyclizations offer a versatile platform for studying catalyst behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively assess supramolecular catalysts for ether cyclizations.
- To investigate the distinct characteristics of catalysts within confined supramolecular environments.
- To explore autocatalysis on π-acidic aromatic surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing supramolecular capsules with π-basic and Brønsted acidic interiors.
- Employing π-acidic aromatic surfaces for complementary catalysis.
- Analyzing reaction rates, selectivity, and adherence to Baldwin rules.
Main Results:
- Supramolecular capsule interiors significantly accelerate ether cyclizations, surpassing general Brønsted acid and hydrogen-bonding catalysts.
- Catalysis within capsules demonstrates selective violations of Baldwin rules, comparable to pnictogen-bonding catalysts.
- Surface catalysis exhibits chemo- and diastereoselective autocatalysis with product-like co-catalysts, but lacks enantioselectivity.
Conclusions:
- Supramolecular capsules provide a unique environment for highly efficient and selective ether cyclizations.
- Surface-based autocatalysis offers controlled selectivity but requires further development for enantioselectivity.
- This study highlights the distinct catalytic capabilities arising from supramolecular environments and surfaces.
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