NEW APPROACHES TO SUPRAMOLECULAR TRANSITION-METAL CATALYSIS

The combination of molecular recognition, phase transfer catalysis and transition metal catalysis in one and the same water-soluble catalyst leads to new perspectives, including increased activity, novel substr ate selectivity and the possibility of simple catalyst recovery. For e xample, Ph-complexes of beta-cyclodextrin modified diphosphanes functi on as supramolecular catalysts in aqueous two-phase hydrogenation and hydroformylation. Metal-containing dendritic compounds constitute anot her new class of supramolecular catalysts which are easily recycled.