Review
Supramolecular asymmetric catalysis mediated by crown ethers and related recognition systems

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gresc.2021.03.007Get rights and content
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Abstract

In the past decades, the combination of supramolecular chemistry and catalysis has pushed forward the emergence of supramolecular catalysis as an intersectant and challenging research field. Supramolecular asymmetric catalysis has especially attracted growing attention attributing to their great advantages in both constructing chiral catalyst libraries and facilitating the improvement of catalytic activity and stereoselectivity, which promoted the development of green and sustainable chemistry. In this review, we summarize the progress on the supramolecular asymmetric catalysis involved crown ethers and their pseudorotaxanes and rotaxanes derivatives. The host–guest chemistry based on crown ethers has been successfully utilized to construct chiral catalysts or to regulate the asymmetric catalysis in both the metal and non-metal catalytic systems. The design and construction of supramolecular chiral catalysts, as well as their applications in catalyzing asymmetric reactions or modulating catalytic activity and stereoselectivity are systemically introduced.

Graphical abstract

The progress on the supramolecular asymmetric catalysis involved crown ethers and their pseudorotaxanes and rotaxanes derivatives is reviewed. The design and construction of supramolecular chiral catalysts, as well as their applications in catalyzing asymmetric reactions or modulating catalytic activity and stereoselectivity are systemically introduced.

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Keywords

Supramolecular catalysis
Crown ethers
Asymmetric catalysis
Chiral catalysts
Pseudorotaxanes
Rotaxanes
Host–guest chemistry

Cited by (0)

Zibin Zhang received his M.S. degree in Organic Chemistry from Shanxi University in 2006. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Zhejiang University in 2013. From 2013 to 2016, he worked in Frankfurt University (Germany) as a post-doc. He joined Hangzhou Normal University in 2016 and was promoted to associate professor in 2020. He is now focusing on the development of novel macrocycles, their host-guest chemistry, self-assembly and applications.

Yuanguang Shao received his bachelor degree in chemistry from Hangzhou Normal University in 2018. Currently, he is studying for a master’s degree in laboratory of Prof. Shijun Li at Hangzhou Normal University. He is working on the synthesis of novel supramolecular assemblies and their applications.

Jiadong Tang received his bachelor degree in chemistry from Hangzhou Normal University in 2019. He is a postgraduate student in Hangzhou Normal University. He is now working on supramolecular asymmetric catalysis.

Juli Jiang received her M. S. degree in Organic Chemistry from Northwest University in China in 1999 and has been working at Nanjing University as a lecturer, associate professor, respectively from 1999 to present. In this period, she obtained her PhD in Organic Chemistry from Nanjing University in 2008, and carried out research at Technion as a visiting scholar from 2009 to 2010. Her current research focuses on supramolecular chemistry and material chemistry.

Leyong Wang holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Nanjing University (NJU) in 2000. After research stays at Institute of Chemistry (CAS), University of Burgundy, France and Mainz University, Germany from 2000 to 2004, he joined the Erlangen-Nürnberg University as AvH Fellow working with Professor John A. Gladysz. Since 2006, he has been specially appointed as the professor of organic and material chemistry at NJU. His current research interests are focused on supramolecular systems ranging from topological molecules to dynamic materials.

Shijun Li received his bachelor and master degree in chemical engineering from Tianjin University in 1996 and in 1999, respectively. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Zhejiang University in 2006. From 2006 to 2008, he worked in Zhejiang University as a post-doc. He joined Hangzhou Normal University in 2009 and was promoted to professor in 2015. From 2011 to 2013, he worked at University of Utah as a visiting scholar. His current research interests include host-guest chemistry, dynamic self-assembly systems and their applications in supramolecular catalysis and supramolecular drugs.