Directing the Cation Recognition Ability of Calix[4]arenes toward Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Catalysis

Nicola Alessandro De Simone, Rosaria Schettini, Carmen Talotta, Carmine Gaeta, Irene Izzo, Giorgio Della Sala, Placido Neri

Index: 10.1002/ejoc.201700912

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Abstract

The recognition abilities of chiral calixarene hosts toward alkali cation guests have been exploited for the first time in asymmetric phase-transfer (PT) catalysis. The binding affinities of a series of α-methylbenzylamine-derived calix[4]arene-amides toward Na+ are consistent with their catalytic efficiency in the asymmetric alkylation of N-(diphenylmethylene)glycine esters under PT conditions.