Supramolecular chemistry container compounds

Calixarenes, which are macrocyclic compounds, are one of the best building blocks to design molecular hosts in supramolecular chemistry [158]. Synthesis of calix[4]arenes, which have been adamantylated, has been reported [105, 109]. In calix[4]arenes, adamantane or its ester/carboxylic acid derivatives were introduced as substituents (Fig. 29). The purpose of this synthesis was to learn how to employ the flexible chemistry of adamantane in order to construct different kinds of molecular hosts. The X-ray structure analysis of p-(l-adamantyl)thiacalix[4]arene [109] demonstrated that it contained four CHCI3 molecules, one of which was located inside the host molecule cavity, and the host molecule assumed the cone-like conformational shape (Fig. 30). 

This contribution gives a survey of recent developments in the field of belt-, ball-, and tube-shaped molecules. During the past few years there have been several break-throughs in this area. Therefore the development will progress much faster in the future than in the past. All new compounds discussed in this review contain cavities, holes, niches, or channels which are of topical interest in the fields of supramolecular chemistry and molecular recognition, as well as in molecular self-organization and sensor applications. 

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