The combination of a Brønsted acid catalyst and a supramolecular organic capsule formed by the self-assembly of six resorcin[4]arene units efficiently promotes the mild hydration of aromatic alkynes to their corresponding ketones. The capsule provides a suitable nanoenvironment that favors protonation of the substrate and addition of water.
Hydration of aromatic alkynes catalyzed by a self-assembled hexameric organic capsule
Catal. Sci. Technol. 2016, 6, 6031-6036.