Gold(I) Catalysis within Self-Assembled Cages

摘要

Inspired by the efficiency displayed by enzymes, self-assembled cages with nanometer-sized cavities have been demonstrated as molecular flasks which can alter reaction pathways to show unusual activity and selectivity by the cavities. In contrast to numerous examples of organic reactions, organometallic catalysts within self-assembled cages are limited. Here, recent examples of gold(I)-catalyzed transformations within self-assembled cages are summarized. These results suggest that confined cavities that can encapsulate organometallic catalysts will provide and stabilize new active species for organometallic reactions which have previously been unobservable.