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Supramolecular Catalysis with Self‐Assembled Capsules and Cages: What Happens in Confined Spaces
Author(s) -
Gaeta Carmine,
La Manna Pellegrino,
De Rosa Margherita,
Soriente Annunziata,
Talotta Carmen,
Neri Placido
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.202001570
Subject(s) - supramolecular chemistry , reactivity (psychology) , confined space , steric effects , catalysis , chemistry , nanotechnology , supramolecular catalysis , chemical physics , phase (matter) , space (punctuation) , materials science , organic chemistry , molecule , computer science , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , operating system
The confined space inside self‐assembled capsules or cages provides a unique environment in which organic reactions can be efficiently catalyzed, thanks to the confinement effect of the substrates. In confined spaces the chemical reactions can show unusual mechanisms due to the conformational control of the substrates, steric constrictions, stabilization of species by secondary interactions, and solvent exclusion. Consequently, the classical rules of the organic reactivity are often broken. Thus, many examples reported to data in the literature confirm the paradigm stated by D. J. Cram in 1989: “ These carceplexes represent a new state of matter whose interiors are new phase…” . The confined space inside the self‐assembled capsules or cages represents a new phase for the chemical reactivity where there is still so much to explore. In this review we highlight the best‐known cases of reactivity in confined spaces, focusing our attention on the driving forces that drive the encapsulated reactions toward uncommon outcomes. Literature examples that constitute the landmarks in the topic of supramolecular catalysis in confined spaces are also reviewed.