Molecular capsules derived from resorcin[4]arenes by metal-coordination.
A short introduction to the fundamental features and recent developments of supramolecular chemistry is presented besides defining scope and limitation of this review article. A brief overview about calix[n]arenes and especially resorcin[4]arenes and their conformationally rigid cavitands is given. Selected examples are presented to demonstrate the dependence of self-assembly of cavitands exhibiting different flexibility either due to their basic macrocycle or due to flexible receptor units commonly located at the o,o'-position of the resorcinarene ring. In addition, the process of self-assembly is also controlled by metal coordination geometry as shown by one example. The receptor units may also be connected at the methylene group of the cavitand as shown by one example. Examples of supramolecular architectures are presented utilizing the special features of 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (terpy) metal-binding ligand. The synthesis and characterization of a metallo-supramolecular Zn-coordination cage with a diameter of 4-5 nm based on a cavitand-terpy building block is presented in detail.
PubMed Abstracts
PubMed Abstracts