Imidazolyl Cyclodextrins: Artificial Serine Proteases Enabling Regiospecific Reactions

Transesterification of Non‐Activated Esters Promoted by Small Molecules Mimicking the Active Site of Hydrolases

The synthesis of small molecules able to mimic the active site of hydrolytic enzymes has been largely pursued in recent decades. The high reaction rates and specificity shown by natural hydrolases present an attractive target, and yet the preparation of suitable small‐molecule mimics remains challenging, requiring activated substrates to achieve productive outcomes. Here we present small synthetic artificial enzymes which mimic the catalytic site and the oxyanion hole of chymotrypsin and N‐terminal hydrolases and are able to perform, for the first time, the transesterification of a non‐activated ester such as ethyl acetate with methanol under mild and neutral reaction conditions.

Three-in-one: Miniature Models of Natural Acyl-transfer Systems Enable Vector-selective Reaction on the Primary Side of Cyclodextrins

Miniature models of acyl-transfer systems in cells, which were composed by replacing the protein, coenzyme and substrate with CD, functional group, and CD, respectively, and combining them all together in one, displayed definite role-sharing and exact cooperation of the functional groups and hydrophobic cavity, and thus enabled the regio-specific reaction.

Programmed Synthesis of Hepta-Differentiated β-Cyclodextrin: 1 out of 117655 Arrangements

Cyclodextrin poly-functionalization has fueled progress in their use in multiple applications such as enzyme mimicry, but also in the polymer sciences, luminescence, as sensors or for biomedical applications. However, regioselective access to a given pattern of functions on β-cyclodextrin is still very limited. We uncover a new orienting group, the thioacetate, that expands the toolbox available for cyclodextrin poly-hetero-functionalization using diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL-H) promoted debenzylation. The usefulness of this group is illustrated in the first synthesis of a precisely hepta-hetero-functionalized β-cyclodextrin. By way of comparison, a random hepta-functionalization would give 117655 different molecules. This synthesis is not simply the vain quest for the Holy Grail of CD hetero-functionalization, but it illustrates the versatility of the DIBAL-H oriented hetero-functionalization strategy, opening the way to a multitude of useful functionalization patterns for new practical applications.

An "against the rules" double bank shot with diisobutylaluminum hydride to allow triple functionalization of α-cyclodextrin

Frustration leads to overreaction: when diametrically opposed regioselective debenzylation is frustrated, an unexpected double debenzylation reaction affords original tetrafunctionalized cyclodextrins in a controlled and efficient manner. A rationale of the reaction is proposed based on a kinetic study.