Supramolecular catalysis in phosphite hydrolysis to H-phosphonate by the resorcinarene hexameric capsule

The hydrogen bonded hexameric resorcinarene capsule promotes the rapid hydrolysis of phosphites to the corresponding H-phosphonates through activation of water by a seam of H-bonds. The reaction takes place within the cavity of the capsule, through nucleophilic attack of water to the P atom as confirmed by isotopic labelling