Product inhibition is generally a problem for catalysis by synthetic receptors.[1] Supramolecular catalysts do not show the exquisite recognition of transition structures versus products required for high turnover and, with few exceptions,[2, 3] their reactions slow down, then stop. We have now encountered cases of phase-transfer catalysis [4] with the watersoluble tetracarboxylate cavitand 1 (Scheme 1).[5] The reactions produce anionic ...
