Calix[8]arene nanoreactor for Cu(<scp>i</scp>)-catalysed C–S coupling

Abstract

The catalytic activity of Cu(i) confined within a phenanthroline-containing calix[8]arene derivative was tested in C-S cross-coupling reactions. The substrate selectivity, solvent dependence, and catalyst loading differ significantly from those reported for bimetallic molecular systems. The putative monomeric complex represents the first calix[8]arene functionalised for endo-oriented metal chelation used as a nanoreactor.