Metal-Organic Cages: Applications in Organic Reactions

Supramolecular metal-organic cages, a class of molecular containers formed via coordination-driven self-assembly, have attracted sustained attention for their applications in catalysis, due to their structural aesthetics and unique properties. Their inherent confined cavity is considered to be analogous to the binding pocket of enzymes, and the facile tunability of building blocks offers a diverse platform for enzyme mimics to promote organic reactions. This minireview covers the recent progress of supramolecular metal-organic coordination cages for boosting organic reactions as reaction vessels or catalysts. The developments in the utilizations of the metal-organic cages for accelerating the organic reactions, improving the selectivity of the reactions are summarized. In addition, recent developments and successes in tandem or cascade reactions promoted by supramolecular metal-organic cages are discussed.

Automated summary

Supramolecular metal-organic cages, as a type of molecular containers with structural aesthetics and unique properties, have been widely applied in catalysis. Their confined cavity analogous to enzymes and tunability of building blocks provide a diverse platform for organic reactions, leading to advancements in accelerating reactions, improving selectivity, and promoting tandem or cascade reactions.