Silanediols possess unique and complementary catalytic activity in reactions that are likely to proceed through anion binding. This article directly compares silanediols, thioureas, and squaramides in three separate anion-binding processes. The catalytic abilities of select members of each family are directly correlated to association constant.
Keywords: anion recognition; enantioseletive catalysis; silanediol; squaramide; thiourea.