Asymmetric induction with β cyclodextrin: cis-trans photoisomerization of diphenyl-cyclopropane and its derivatives

Abstract

Cyclodextrins due to their inherently chiral nature can bring about moderate enantio and diastereoselectivity during the photoreactions of included guest molecules. Photoisomerization of diphenylcyclopropane and its derivatives have been used as a useful probe for this purpose. Interestingly, the optical isomers that are favoured by β-CD during the photoisomerization of diphenylcyclopropane and its derivatives are the same one that are selectively included when a racemic mixture is equlibrated with β-CD.