Efficient isonitrile hydration through encapsulation within a hexameric self-assembled capsule and selective inhibition by a photo-controllable competitive guest

摘要

Catalytic hydration of neutral isonitriles to yield the corresponding N-formylamides was achieved by reversible encapsulation in a self-assembled hexameric resorcin[4]arene capsule. Encapsulation of a photochromic dithienylethene bis-cation provides different levels of competitive inhibition depending on the geometry assumed by the cationic inhibitor. Isonitriles 1 are valuable intermediates in organic synthesis that have received less attention because of their limited commercial availability and extremely repellent odour that discourages manipulation.