Supramolecular Catalysis of the oxa‐Pictet–Spengler Reaction with an Endohedrally Functionalized Self‐Assembled Cage Complex
Courtney Ngai, Colomba M. Sanchez‐Marsetti, W. Hill Harman, Richard J. Hooley
Abstract
Abstract An endohedrally functionalized self‐assembled Fe 4 L 6 cage complex can catalyze oxa‐Pictet—Spengler cyclizations of tryptophols and various aldehyde derivatives, showing strong rate accelerations and size‐selectivity. Selective molecular recognition of substrates controls the reactivity, and the cage is capable of binding and activating multiple different species along the multistep reaction pathway. The combination of a functionalized active site, size‐selective reactivity, and multistep activation, all from a single host molecule, illustrates the biomimetic nature of the catalysis.
Topics & Concepts
Supramolecular chemistryReactivity (psychology)ChemistryAldehydeCatalysisCageMoleculeSelf-assemblySelectivityCombinatorial chemistrySupramolecular catalysisOrganic chemistryAlternative medicinePathologyMedicineCombinatoricsMathematicsAxial and Atropisomeric Chirality SynthesisSupramolecular Chemistry and ComplexesChemical Synthesis and Analysis