Stereodivergent Anion Binding Catalysis with Molecular Motors

A photoresponsive chiral catalyst based on an oligotriazole-functionalized unidirectional molecular motor has been developed for stereodivergent anion binding catalysis. The motor function controls the helical chirality of supramolecular assemblies with chloride anions, which by means of chirality transfer enables the enantioselective addition of a silyl ketene acetal nucleophile to oxocarbenium cations. Reversal of stereoselectivity (up to 142 % Delta ee) was achieved through rotation of the motor core induced by photochemical and thermal isomerization steps.