Supramolecular Catalytic Assemblies for Two Simultaneously Complexed Reagents

Supramolecular Catalytic Assemblies for Two Simultaneously Complexed Reagents 

The key element of the strategy described in the following section is the simultaneous complexation of two reactants to facilitate a bimolecular reaction. Mechanistic effects include proximity, matchmakers (orientation effects of reactants), and self-replication. 

The design of supramolecular catalysts for bimolecular reactions is challenging the supramolecular host must first recognize the two 

SCHEME 2 Catalytic cycle proposed for the supramolecularly catalyzed decarboxyla-tive hydroformylation (43). 

If the host has a higher affinity for the product than for the reagents, then a problem arises inhibition of the catalytic reaction by the product. Although a host cannot be regarded as truly catalytic if such inhibition is very strong (because stoichiometric amounts of host would be required to achieve complete conversion), it can still accelerate the reaction and influence the outcome of the reaction. 

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