Abstract
In this study, we performed Knoevenagel condensation of naphthaldehydes with Meldrum's acid in the presence of a cationic self-assembled coordination cage. The cationic cage accommodating naphthaldehydes promoted nucleophilic attack of Meldrum's acid from the outside of the cage and stabilized anionic intermediates. Because the products are readily replaced with naphthaldehydes and not encapsulated within the cage, the condensation proceeded in a catalytic amount of the cage.
