Catalysis Within the Self-Assembled Resorcin[4]arene Hexamer

Supramolecular catalysis is now enriched by a new principal actor: the resorcin[ 4]arene hexamer as an example of a very large, substrate-selective nanohost able to greatly stabilize reactions involving electron-poor and cationic intermediates. This simple and pseudospherical aggregate that spontaneously forms in organic solvents from a vase-shape molecule obtained in a single synthetic step, has been exploited as a well-defined nanoreactor for a wide range of chemical transformations. All the features observed are consequences of the encapsulation of the substrates or of specific cationic catalysts. These species experience unique solvation effects imparted by the electron-rich aromatic surfaces of the assembly. Thanks to its very large cavity, this assembly has attracted the interest of several research groups looking to use it as a simple but efficient example of artificial nanoenzyme.