Enhancement of catalytic performance in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation by microenvironment engineering of the nanocageElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedure, XRD, N2 sorption, UV-vis, the recycle of the catalyst and the results of other aromatic ketones. See DOI: 10.1039/c0cc01401j

Ru-TsDPEN confined in the nanocage with an amphiphilic microenvironment can be ten times more active than that with a hydrophobic one in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in HCOONa-H 2 O, which is mainly due to the enhanced diffusion rates of reactants during the catalytic process. The catalytic performance of Ru-TsDPEN confined in the nanocage can be greatly enhanced by microenvironment engineering.