β-Cyclodextrin as an Efficient and Recyclable Supramolecular Catalyst for the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

beta-Cyclodextrin (beta-CD), a naturally occurring supramolecular structure, is an effective catalyst for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Its ubiquity, high performance, nontoxicity, ease of separation, and reusability have drawn the attention of green chemists. Here we present the synthetic procedures of heterocyclic compounds catalyzed by beta-CD in water and compare them with those using organic solvents. In many cases, using water as the solvent shows better efficiency than conventional organic solvents with regard to catalytic activity and simplicity of recycling procedures. This review highlights the applications of beta-CD in catalysis covering the years 2004-2016.