Thermoresponsive surfactant-type chiral salen TiIV catalysts were developed.
The catalysts self-assembled in water to form metallomicelles with different morphologies.
Asymmetric sulfoxidation was efficiently conducted in water with the metallomicelles.
Outstanding activity and selectivity were achieved as a result of the “micellar catalysis”.
The catalyst can be easily recovered for efficient reuse via thermocontrolled separation.