Organocatalysis by a multidentate halogen-bond donor: an alternative to hydrogen-bond based catalysis

Abstract

A charge neutral iodoethynyl-based multidentate halogen-bond donor was synthesized and successfully utilized as an organocatalyst in a benchmark Ritter-type solvolysis reaction. The catalytic activity was monitored using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and several control experiments were systematically carried out in order to rule out hidden catalysis based on other functional groups.