Introverted Phosphorus-Au Cavitands for Catalytic Use.

A preparative synthesis of an inwardly directed phosphoramidite-Au complex is described and a description of some of its catalytic performance. The molecular structure was determined by crystallographic analysis, which disclosed that the phosphoramidite ligand points 'out' and places the complexed Au 'in'. We investigated its catalytic activities and found that the inwardly directed Au is surrounded by three inert walls that provide new opportunities for supramolecular catalysis and study of reactive intermediates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]