Application of multidentate halogen-bond donors in organocatalysis and recognition

Based on the concept of halogen bonding, a variety of multidentate, neutral, as well as cationic halogen bond donors have been synthesized and characterized. These novel type of Lewis acids were used for the first time as organocatalysts for the activation of neutral Lewis bases (e. g., carbonyl compounds) and in halide abstraction reactions. In a second part, the scope of application of this new halogen bond donors was extended toward the field of molecular recognition, especially anions.