Exploiting the Curtin−Hammett PrincipleRecognition-Mediated Acceleration of an Aldol Reaction

Curtin−Hammett−Winstein−Holness kinetics are exploited in the acceleration of the aldol reaction between formylbenzo-15-crown-5 and acetylbenzo-15-crown-5. Potassium cations facilitate this acceleration through the fast, reversible formation of a 1:1:1 sandwich complex between the crown ethers and the metal cation.