beta-Cyclodextrin: A Green and Efficient Supramolecular Catalyst for Organic Transformations

beta-Cyclodextrin is cyclic oligosaccharide possessing hydrophobic cavity, which binds the substrates selectively and catalyze number of organic transformations with high selectivity. It catalyzes the reaction by non-covalent supramolecular bonding with reversible formation of host-guest complexes as seen in enzymes. This account summarizes our efforts in designing a good number of important organic transformations using beta-cyclodextrin and its derivatives. These reactions were performed in neat, aqueous as well as organic media. Greener synthetic routes to a variety of biologically relevant organic molecules has been developed. The temperature, solvent and catalyst amount plays in important role in these reactions. beta-Cyclodextrin activates variety of organic compounds like aldehydes, ketones, anhydride, oximes, amines, nitriles and increases the rate of reactions.