A new family of synthetic receptors known as metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs), constructed from sulfonylcalix[4]arene-based container precursors, divalent metal ions, and carboxylate linkers of various shapes, were recently developed in our laboratory. These fascinating nanostructured molecules possess several attractive features, including their modular synthesis, tunable structure, and multiple nano-cavities that mimic enzyme binding pockets. These characteristics make MOSCs ideally suited as supramolecular catalysts for recognizing and activating small organic molecules. In particular, we demonstrate that aqueous soluble MOSCs functionalized with solfonato (-SO<sub>3</sub><sup>-</sup>) groups show great promise in catalyzing organic reactions (such as Michael addition) consisted of insoluble substrates in a heterogeneous manner. The “on-water” catalysis is attributed to the ability of the MOSC nano-cavities to encapsulate and recognize hydrophobic organic substrates. These findings thus suggest that the MOSC-based catalysts may be utilized to promote organic transformations in an environmentally friendly fashion

Soluble metal-organic supercontainers (MOSCs) promote organic reactions “on water”

2019 Spring National Meeting

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