Frontiers in Chemistry (Oct 2019)

The Hexameric Resorcinarene Capsule as a Brønsted Acid Catalyst for the Synthesis of Bis(heteroaryl)methanes in a Nanoconfined Space

  • Stefania Gambaro,
  • Pellegrino La Manna,
  • Margherita De Rosa,
  • Annunziata Soriente,
  • Carmen Talotta,
  • Carmine Gaeta,
  • Placido Neri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2019.00687
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Herein, we show that the hexameric resorcinarene capsule C is able to catalyze the formation of bis(heteroaryl)methanes by reaction between pyrroles or indoles and carbonyl compounds (α-ketoesters or aldehydes) in excellent yields and selectivity. Our results suggest that the capsule can play a double catalytic role as a H-bond catalyst, for the initial activation of the carbonyl substrate, and as a Brønsted acid catalyst, for the dehydration of the intermediate alcohol.

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