Proline–cyclodextrin conjugates: synthesis and evaluation as catalysts for aldol reaction in water

The synthesis of six conjugates of l-proline and β-cyclodextrin and their evaluation as catalysts of aldol reaction in water are described. The results indicated that the nature of the linker between proline and β-cyclodextrin is important for catalytic activity; the one with the most flexible linker gave the best results. Inhibition experiments showed that the cavity of β-cyclodextrin plays a role in the catalysis. Permethylation of the cyclodextrin hydroxyl groups led to higher conversion rates.