Ru(II)Porphyrinate-based molecular nanoreactor for carbene insertion reactions and quantitative formation of rotaxanes by active-metal-template syntheses

Selectivity in carbene insertion reactions promoted by Ru(II)porphyrinates is achieved only upon careful control of substrate stoichiometry. Here, the authors demonstrate that endotopic catalysis and formation of mechanical bonds enables carbene insertions to occur selectively and in quantitative yield regardless of substrate stoichiometry.