The many useful features possessed by pillararenes (PAs; e.g. rigid, capacious, and hydrophobic cavities, as well as exposed functional groups) have led to a tremendous increase in their popularity since their first discovery in 2008. In this Minireview, we emphasize the use of functionalized PAs and their assembled supramolecular materials in the field of catalysis. We aim to provide a fundamental understanding and mechanism of the role PAs play in catalytic process. The topics are subdivided into catalysis promoted by the PA rim/cavity, PA‐based nanomaterials, and PA‐based polymeric materials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first overview on PA‐based catalysis. This Minireview not only summarizes the fabrications and applications of PAs in catalysis but also anticipates future research efforts in applying supramolecular hosts in catalysis.
An orthogonal strategy was utilized
for synthesizing a novel water-soluble
pillar[5]arene (
m-TPEWP5) with tetraphenylethene-functionalized
on the bridged methylene group (meso-position) of
the pillararene skeleton. The obtained macrocycle exhibit both the
aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect and interesting host–guest
property. Moreover, it can be made to bind with a tailor-made camptothecin-based
prodrug guest (DNS-G) to form AIE-nanoparticles based
on host–guest interaction and the fluorescence resonance energy
transfer process for fabricating a drug delivery system. This novel
type of water-soluble AIE-active macrocycle can serve as a potential
fluorescent material for cancer diagnosis and therapy. In addition,
the present orthogonal strategy for designing meso-functionalized aromatic macrocycles may pave a new avenue for creating
novel supramolecular structures and functional materials.
This Feature Article will discuss the fabrication of light-harvesting systems based on water-soluble macrocycles, such as cyclodextrins (CD), pillararenes (PA), calixarenes (CA), cucurbiturils (CB), and other macrocycles.
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