Cucurbit[n]urils-related Multitopic Supramolecular Components: Design, Properties, and Perspectives

Abstract

Cucurbit[n]urils (CBns) are an intriguing family of macrocyclic hosts whose chemistry has undergone rapid developments in recent decades. The initial interest in the synthesis, modifications and binding properties has shifted to areas focused on applications in drug storage, delivery, and release, external-stimuli responsive devices, and molecular nano-reactors. Since CBns are fruitfully complemented by cyclodextrins (CDs) in such systems, guest molecules that contain several binding sites are needed. These multitopic guests provide not only a scaffold for holding CBns and CDs together in appropriate arrangements but also allow for manipulation with supramolecular aggregates, e. g., reorganization or release of macrocycles. In this review, we summarize recent studies related to the design of multitopic guests. Binding motifs properties, the role of attractive or repulsive lateral interactions, the competition-compensation effect, and rotaxane versus pseudorotaxane manner are discussed. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim