A new ligand based on permethylated β-cyclodextrin bearing a methylimidazole group was synthesized. In the presence of this N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, silver or palladium complexes were generated. Interestingly, palladium species based on this ligand are more active than palladium species based on TPP or IMes,Cl for a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction.

The inclusion of a guest inside the cavity of a new water-soluble cyclodextrin–phosphane allows controlling the natural conformation of this ligand leading to an inversion of the regioselectivity during aqueous hydroformylation reaction.