Molecular cage seizes control in tetradehydro Diels–Alder reaction

By George Barsted2023-08-03T13:18:00

A cage-like chemical structure of hexagonal shapes holding another chemical structure inside

Source: © Georgi R. Genov, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023

Elegant method dodges harsh reaction conditions to assemble polycyclic scaffolds from simple linear precursors

A palladium-based cage that traps and twists long arylalkyne chains is behind a new method for synthesising polycyclic systems. Researchers from the University of Tokyo in Japan used the cage to induce a tetradehydro-Diels–Alder reaction, under mild conditions and high levels of selectivity.