Cyclodextrin-Based Supramolecular P,N Bidentate Ligands and their Platinum and Rhodium Complexes

A cavity-shaped cis-chelating P,N ligand for highly selective nickel-catalysed ethylene dimerisation

The presence of a permethylated α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) cavity in a chelating P,N ligand promotes exclusive formation of 1 : 1 ligand/metal complexes. In MX₂ complexes, one of the two halido ligands is forced to reside inside the CD hollow while the second one is pointing outside. Unlike its cavity-free analogue, a Ni(II) complex of the CD ligand is a highly selective precatalyst for ethylene dimerisation (96% C₄ selectivity with up to 95% of 1-butene within the C₄ fraction).

Novel self-adaptive boat-shaped complexes with a tetraphosphine ligand

A series of novel boat-shaped host-guest complexes were designed and synthesized by the combination of a new calixarene fragment-based tetraphosphine ligand L with group 11 metal salts Cu(MeCN)4ClO4 and AgNO3 in a self-assembly process, and by the following anion exchange reactions of complex 1 with sodium p-toluenesulfonate, AcONa, PhCO2Na and sodium 9-anthrylcarboxylate. The host with a novel boat-shaped cavity is capable of self-adaptive encapsulation of various anions of different sizes through M(i)-O coordinations and CHπ interactions between the host and guest anion. The DFT calculations confirmed that the CHπ interaction played a vital role in the self-adaptive phenomenon in complexes 4-6.

Unconventional Approaches Involving Cyclodextrin-Based, Self-Assembly-Driven Processes for the Conversion of Organic Substrates in Aqueous Biphasic Catalysis

Aqueous biphasic catalysis is a convenient approach to convert organic, partially soluble molecules in water. However, converting more hydrophobic substrates is much more challenging as their solubility in water is extremely low. During the past ten years, substantial progress has been made towards improving the contact between hydrophobic substrates and a hydrophilic transition-metal catalyst. The main cutting-edge approaches developed in the field by using cyclodextrins as a supramolecular tool will be discussed and compared in this short review.

Cyclodextrin-based PNN supramolecular assemblies: a new class of pincer-type ligands for aqueous organometallic catalysis

Pt-catalysts stabilized in water by self-assembled PNN supramolecular cyclodextrin-based ligands proved to be effective in a Paal–Knorr pyrrole reaction.

Supramolecular control of transition metal complexes in water by a hydrophobic cavity: a bio-inspired strategy

Different strategies for obtaining water-soluble cavity-appended metal complexes are described, and their resulting interlocked assets are discussed in relationship with the very specific properties of water as a solvent.

The aminocyclodextrin/Pd(OAc)2 complex as an efficient catalyst for the Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reaction

An aminocyclodextrin/Pd(OAc)2 complex is used as an efficient, reusable catalyst in the Mizoroki-Heck reaction of aryl halides/triflates with olefins to give carbon-carbon-coupled products in good to excellent yields. This simple, efficient catalytic system is applicable to a wide range of aryl and heteroaryl halides/triflates and olefins. This environmentally benign procedure is less hazardous, milder, uses a catalytic amount of ligand and Pd(OAc)2 , avoids an inert atmosphere, and catalyst recovery and reusability are achieved.

Hydroformylation in aqueous biphasic media assisted by molecular receptors

The role of molecular receptors in aqueous biphasic hydroformylation of higher olefins is highlighted through a detailed analysis of their molecular recognition properties. The behavior of cyclodextrins and calixarenes as molecular receptors is especially emphasized and discussed. Their supramolecular interactions with the substrates and the water-soluble ligands proved to be an essential parameter guiding the reaction performances. The hydroformylation activity and chemo- and regio-selectivities can thus be accurately controlled by a suitable match between the receptor and the reaction components. Development outlooks are also presented.

A controllable transformation in copper valence states and its applications

The present study revealed a surprising valence transformation of copper (Cu) in the sintering process of mixtures of copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl(2)·2H(2)O) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in ambient atmosphere. Such a transformation in Cu valence states can be modulated by changing the initial molar ratio (IMR) of CuCl(2)·2H(2)O to β-CD in the mixtures. Firstly, as the value of IMR decreased, the content of cuprous chloride (CuCl) decreased, while the content of cupric oxide (CuO) increased gradually. That is to say, there is an unambiguous IMR-dependence of the contents of CuCl and CuO formed. However, such a controllable valence transformation from Cu(II) to Cu(I) to Cu(II) did not happen in nitrogen atmosphere. Secondly, the in situ composite of CuCl and CuO produced a highly ordered structure of self-assembled nanowires, intertwined, with a diameter of 30 to 50 nm. Furthermore, electronic structural analysis provided direct evidence that the Cu-Cl and Cu-O bonds in this composite material were simultaneously impaired by self-assembled growth. Finally, we noticed that the photoluminescence property of CuCl was regulated through the formation of composites with CuO. In addition, this in situ composite synthesis technique was used to modify the magnetic property of CuO. Furthermore, the anomalous ferromagnetic behaviour of the CuO nanocrystal was observed and explained. In short, this work not only demonstrates a flexible and easily controllable valence transformation of Cu, but also provides a novel approach for constructing inorganic nanocomposite materials. We believe that the implications of these findings are important and make significant contributions to the development of inorganic chemistry and material science.