Effect of the U-Shaped Cavity of Conformationally Flexible Chiral Lewis-Acidic Boron-Based Catalysts in Multiselective Diels–Alder Reactions

The effect of the U-shaped cavity of conformationally flexible chiral Lewis acidic boron-based catalysts in multiselective Diels–Alder reactions was investigated. The U-shaped catalysts can recognize substituents at the terminal acetylene moiety of propynal based on steric factors and can also recognize alkyne and alkene substrates based on the match/mismatch between the catalysts and substrates. Moreover, even in a mixture of different catalysts and substrates, the desired competitive reactions can proceed multiselectively. This proof-of-concept study should contribute to the development of artificial enzyme-like catalysis in vitro.