Topologically Controlled Synthesis of Reversible Macrocyclic Compounds in Microemulsions

A novel and simple approach was used to synthesize a reversible macrocyclic compound. This approach is based on capturing molecules with a photodynamic covalent bond inside microemulsions as nanoreactors and exposing them to UV radiation to facilitate a stereoselective reaction to form cyclic compounds quantitatively and selectively. The size of the microemulsion droplets used played a crucial role in synthesizing the reversible macrocyclic compounds. The formed macrocyclic compound was able to revert to monomers under UV irradiation of a shorter wavelength.