Highly efficient catalysis of the Kemp elimination in the cavity of a cubic coordination cage

• Published in: Nature chemistry Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 231 - 236
• Main Authors: Cullen, William, Misuraca, M. Cristina, Hunter, Christopher A., Williams, Nicholas H., Ward, Michael D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.03.2016; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 140/131; 639/638/541/965; 639/638/77/888; Analytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry/Food Science; Inorganic Chemistry; Ions; Organic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry

The hollow cavities of coordination cages can provide an environment for enzyme-like catalytic reactions of small-molecule guests. Here, we report a new example (catalysis of the Kemp elimination reaction of benzisoxazole with hydroxide to form 2-cyanophenolate) in the cavity of a water-soluble M 8...