Exploiting the Curtin-Hammett principle--recognition-mediated acceleration of an aldol reaction.
[figure: see text] Curtin-Hammett-Winstein-Holness kinetics are exploited in the acceleration of the aldol reaction between formylbenzo-15-crown-5 and acetylbenzo-15-crown-5. Potassium cations facilitate this acceleration through the fast, reversible formation of a 1:1:1 sandwich complex between the crown ethers and the metal cation.
Howell
S J
SJ
Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST.
Ashton
P R
PR
Spencer
N
N
Philp
D
D