Reactivity in organised assemblies

Abstract

This report reviews recent publications that explore organic reactivity in a variety of organised assemblies, including supramolecular aggregates, colloidal structures (e.g., micelles, microemulsions), liquid crystals, dendrimers, nanoparticles, mono- and multi-layers. The effects that organisation of organic material have on reactivity are arranged in four sections: (i) the enforced juxtaposition of functional groups in the organised assemblies that leads to intramolecular reactivity or cooperative catalysis (proximity effect, similar to neighbouring group participation in small molecules); (ii) diffusion of reagents into the interior of the organised assembly that leads to a microenvironment different from the bulk solvent (solvent effect); (iii) unique properties of the interface between the organised assembly and the bulk solvent (interface effect); and (iv) the confinement of molecules within the restricted space of the organised assembly (steric effect). The report covers literature from 2007 to early 2008.