The Diversity of Cucurbituril Molecular Switches and Shuttles

Abstract

Ring translocation switches and shuttles featuring a macrocycle (or a ring molecule) navigating between two or more stations continue to attract attention. While the vast majority of these systems are developed in organic solvents, the cucurbituril (CB) macrocycles are ideally suited to prepare such systems in water. Indeed, their stability and their relatively high affinity for relevant guest molecules are key attributes toward translating the progresses made in organic solvents, into water. In this concept article, we summarize the findings, key advances and multiple possibilities offered by CBs toward advanced molecular switches and shuttles in water.

Controlled oligomeric guest stacking by cucurbiturils in water

“…After the seminal discovery of cucurbit[ n ]urils (CB[ n ], n = 5–8, 10, 13–15), 1,2 a flourishing field started to emerge, reporting many new supramolecular complexes, some of which featured by unique properties in catalysis, drug transport or crystal engineering, 3–6 and stimuli-responsive molecular shuttles. 7–9…”