Imidazolium-functionalized β-cyclodextrin as a highly recyclable multifunctional ligand in water

We describe here the synthesis and the catalytic properties of a novel dodecyl-imidazolium modified beta-cyclodextrin as a self-assembled catalytic system (Fig. 1) in neat water for an effective Suzuki-Miyaura reaction. The introduction of the dodecyl-imidazolium motif on the primary face of the beta-cyclodextrin allowed the development of a green highly recyclable catalytic system for reactions in an aqueous environment. We present the application of this system to the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling without the use of a co-solvent or stabilizing phosphine ligands in aqueous media. The catalytic system is highly recyclable, allowing the reuse of the palladium catalyst in subsequent catalytic runs without loss of activity.