β‐Cyclodextrin as an Efficient and Recyclable Supramolecular Catalyst for the Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

β‐Cyclodextrin (β‐CD ), a naturally occurring supramolecular structure, is an effective catalyst for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Its ubiquity, high performance, nontoxicity, ease of separation, and reusability have drawn the attention of green chemists. Here we present the synthetic procedures of heterocyclic compounds catalyzed by β‐CD in water and compare them with those using organic solvents. In many cases, using water as the solvent shows better efficiency than conventional organic solvents with regard to catalytic activity and simplicity of recycling procedures. This review highlights the applications of β‐CD in catalysis covering the years 2004–2016.