Rational design of sugar-based-surfactant combined catalysts for promoting glycerol as a solvent

Abstract : Thumbnail image of graphical abstract A sugary treat: Here we report the great efficiency of sugar-based-surfactant combined catalysts for conducting selective base-catalyzed organic reactions in glycerol. Close control of the reaction selectivity was successfully obtained owing to the formation of catalytic hydrophobic pockets in glycerol (see figure). The advantages of our catalytic processes and its similarities with catalysis in water are also highlighted.