Highly Efficient Supramolecular Catalysis by Endowing the Reaction Intermediate with Adaptive Reactivity

A new strategy of highly efficient supramolecular catalysis is developed by endowing the reaction intermediate with adaptive reactivity. The supramolecular catalyst, prepared by host–guest complexation between 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), was used for biphasic oxidation of alcohols. Cationic TEMPO+, the key intermediate, was stabilized by the electrostatic effect of CB[7] in aqueous phase, thus promoting the formation of TEMPO+ and inhibiting side reactions. Moreover, through the migration into the organic phase, TEMPO+ was separated from CB[7] and recovered the high reactivity to drive a fast oxidation of substrates. The adaptive reactivity of TEMPO+ induced an integral optimization of the catalytic cycle and greatly improved the conversion of the reaction. This work highlights the unique advantages of dynamic noncovalent interactions on modulating the activity of reaction intermediates, which may open new horizons for supramolecular catalysis. Adaptive reactivity: A new strategy of supramolecular catalysis has been developed to promote a biphasic alcohol oxidation. Owing to dynamic host–guest complexation with cucurbit[7]uril, a cationic intermediate was stabilized in aqueous phase and recovered its reactivity in the organic phase. Adaptive reactivity induces an integral optimization of the catalytic cycle.