Unexpected selectivities in transition metal-catalyzed hydroformylation of vinyl-substituted cavitands

Abstract

Platinum- and rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation reactions were performed on tetra(vinyl)cavitand skeletons. Instead of obtaining a statistical mixture of products, the reactions proceeded with high ‘tetra-selectivities’, that is, all four vinyl groups were either hydrogenated or transformed to the branched or linear aldehydes via hydroformylation. Based on these exceptionally high chemo- and regioselectivities, a cooperation between all the four catalytic reaction centers was supposed.