Enantioselective Capsule Catalysis

Synthetic capsules have the potential to be excellent non-covalent catalysts. Their hollow interiors provide a confined pocket that can stabilise transition states, reminiscent of how an enzyme functions. However, this area has been fraught with problems, most obviously poor turnover due to product inhibition. Recently, the Lusby group have provided a blueprint for overcoming this major hurdle, which also provides systems with activity comparable to the most efficient catalytic antibodies (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 2862). This joint project aims to translate this high activity into efficient stereoselective catalysis.