Book Reviews

摘要

This monograph provides a very timely update on the renaissance occurring in the field of supramolecular catalysis. As mentioned by the editor in the Preface, early efforts in the 1970s to apply supramolecular concepts to catalysis focused primarily on replicating how natural enzymes catalyze reactions. The complexity of most of these biomimetic catalysts hampered further application to problems in synthetic chemistry. The goal of developing a selective and efficient catalyst, whether for a synthetic application or as an enzyme mimic, requires the selective recognition of a particular transition state. This book presents a broad spectrum of supramolecular strategies to achieve this goal, ranging from approaches based on molecular recognition and self-assembly to organometallic chemistry.rnThe book comprises 10 chapters written by participants of the 2008 Conference on Supramolecular Approaches to Catalysis in Barcelona. Consequently, it is not intended to be a thorough review of the area but rather represents a concise discussion of the most recent advances in supramolecular catalysis. Although each chapter generally reviews the author's contribution to the field, the chapters flow together smoothly and logically.