Multicomponent Reactions Mediated by Supramolecular Containers

Abstract

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have drawn great attention due to their various significant advantages including highly efficient, environment-friendly, and atom-economic. Developing more efficient and selective MCRs is of great significance to construct chemical libraries of potential functional compounds. On the other hand, supramolecular containers have been successfully applied as novel nanoreactors to mediate diverse organic transformations, and MCRs are included. In this review, examples of supramolecular container mediated MCRs have been summarized. The supramolecular containers include β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), calix[4]arene, self-assembled Ga(III)-ligand tetrahedral coordination cage ([Ga₄L₆]¹²⁻), and decanuclear 3d–4f lanthanide metal-organic cage ([Zn₂Yb₈(L)₈Cl₂]²⁺). The MCRs cover Hantzsch, Biginelli, aza-Darzens, Strecker, and other three-component reactions. Effects of the supramolecular containers have been illustrated and prospects for the future are also provided.