Cyclizations catalyzed inside a hexameric resorcinarene capsule

Abstract

The self-assembled, hydrogen-bonded hexameric resorcin[4]arene capsule represents one of the most readily accessible host systems for the study of container catalysis. This assembly can stabilize cationic intermediates and transition states through cation–π interactions with the aromatic walls and several reactions have been successfully performed in its cavity. This highlight focuses mainly on the applications of this host system for the catalysis of cyclization reactions such as terpene cyclizations, intramolecular hydroalkoxylation and carbonyl–olefin metathesis.