Supramolecular catalysis by cyclodextrins involving non-covalent
inter molecular forces and host-guest complexation has been shown to result
in high selectivities in a variety of organic reactions by the cyclodextrin
molecular recognition ability and effective use of their hydroxyl groups and
derivatives. Some of the applications of cyclodextrins discussed are: enzyme
models, enzyme catalysed reactions, regioselective ring opening reactions,
photo chemical reactions, oxidations, enantioselective reactions etc. Recent
developments in the modification of cyclodextrins to attain good geometric
control for accelerating the reactions has been highlighted.
