Molecular recognition between a water-soluble organometallic complex and a β-cyclodextrin:: First example of second-sphere coordination adducts possessing a catalytic activity

Formation of stable second-sphere adducts between a water-soluble organometallic complex and a cyclodextrin (CD) is possible by finely designing the structure of the water-soluble phosphane. The key point to obtain such adducts was the synthesis of a water-soluble phosphane which possesses a tert-butylphenyl group recognized by the CD and separated from the phosphorus atom by a phenyl ring to avoid phosphane decoordination during the molecular recognition process between the organometallic complex and the CD. These adducts are able to catalyze the cleavage of water-insoluble carbonate in a biphasic system.