Synergistic topological and supramolecular control of Diels-Alder reactivity based on a tunable self-complexing host-guest molecular switch.

Compartmentalization and binding-triggered conformational change regulate many metabolic processes in living matter. Here, we have synergistically combined these two biorelevant processes to tune the Diels-Alder (DA) reactivity of a synthetic self-complexing host-guest molecular switch CBPQT -Fu, consisting of an electron-rich furan unit covalently attached to the electron-deficient cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) tetrachloride (CBPQT , 4Cl ) host. This design allows CBPQT -Fu to efficiently compartmentalize the furan ring inside its host cavity in water, thereby protecting it from the DA reaction with maleimide.

A Simple and Efficient Protocol for the Catalytic Insertion Polymerization of Functional Norbornenes.

Norbornene can be polymerized by a variety of mechanisms, including insertion polymerization whereby the double bond is polymerized and the bicyclic nature of the monomer is conserved. The resulting polymer, polynorbornene, has a very high glass transition temperature, Tg, and interesting optical and electrical properties. However, the polymerization of functional norbornenes by this mechanism is complicated by the fact that the endo substituted norbornene monomer has, in general, a very low reactivity.

Cyclodextrin-grafted polymers functionalized with phosphanes: a new tool for aqueous organometallic catalysis.

New cyclodextrin (CD)-grafted polymers functionalized with water-soluble phosphanes were synthesized in three steps starting from polyNAS. Once characterized by NMR spectroscopy and size-exclusion chromatography, they were used as additives in Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-hexadecene. The combined supramolecular and coordinating properties of these polymers allowed increasing the catalytic activity of the reaction without affecting the selectivities.