Ditopic Cyclodextrin-Based Receptors: New Perspectives in Aqueous Organometallic Catalysis

The mass transfer properties of mono- and ditopic beta-cyclodextrin-based receptors have been evaluated in a biphasic palladium-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost reaction and compared to one of the best mass-transfer promoters, namely the randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin. While monotopic receptors appeared to be poor mass-transfer promoters of long alkyl chain allyl carbonates or urethanes, cooperative effects have been evidenced with ditopic cyclodextrin-based receptors, opening new perspectives in aqueous organometallic catalysis.