Design of supramolecular metal complex catalytic systems for organic and petrochemical synthesis

The state-of-the-art in investigations into the supramolecular catalysis by metal complexes using macrocyclic receptor molecules is surveyed. The emphasis is placed on issues related to the design of novel metal complex catalysts capable of molecular recognition and to their applications in organic synthesis, in particular, in such reactions as hydrogenation, hydroformylation, carbonylation, hydroxylation, Wacker oxidation, biomimetic oxidation, and some others. The factors affecting the activity, stability and selectivity of such catalytic systems are discussed.