A Halogen‐Bond Donor Catalyst for Templated Macrocyclization

A halogen‐bond templated 1:1 macrocyclization in solution is reported. Tetra(iodoperfluorophenyl) ethers were used as halogen‐bonded exotemplates in a substoichiometric amount (5 mol %). Pyridine‐containing macrocyclic architectures were formed by ruthenium‐catalyzed tandem metathesis/transfer hydrogenation sequence using sodium borohydride and methanol as non‐dihydrogen hydrogen source. The halogen‐bonded stabilization energies were analyzed relying on density functional theory.