Container molecules exhibit a well-defined nanopore structure and have a wide range of potential applications, including gas storage and separation, drug delivery, encapsulation of otherwise unstable chemical species,<sup> </sup>transportation of small molecules, and importantly, supramolecular catalysis. Recently, our research group developed a new family of synthetic containers, namely, metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs), by assembling sulfonylcalix[4]arene container precursors, metal ions and carboxylate linkers. MOSCs are porous, discrete, relatively easy to functionalize, and can mimic the structure and function of biomolecules in several important ways. In this presentation, we will discuss the utility of a number of suitably functionalized MOSCs as artificial hosts for promoting Knoevenagel reaction, which represents a classical type of C-C bond formation in organic chemistry. Our results indicate that the MOSC-based supramolecular catalysts can afford unique reactivity not readily accessible in small-molecule catalyst systems.

Supermolecular catalysis via metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs)

249th National Meeting (2015)

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