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Applications of macrocycle-based solid-state host–guest chemistry

Nature Reviews Chemistry volume 7, pages 768–782 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Macrocyclic molecules have been used in various fields owing to their guest binding properties. Macrocycle-based host–guest chemistry in solution can allow for precise control of complex formation. Although solution-phase host–guest complexes are easily prepared, their limited stability and processability prevent widespread application. Extending host–guest chemistry from solution to the solid state results in complexes that are generally more robust, enabling easier processing and broadened applications. Macrocyclic compounds in the solid state can encapsulate guests with larger affinities than their soluble counterparts. This is crucial for use in applications such as separation science and devices. In this Review, we summarize recent progress in macrocycle-based solid-state host–guest chemistry and discuss the basic physical chemistry of these complexes. Representative macrocycles and their solid-state complexes are explored, as well as potential applications. Finally, perspectives and challenges are discussed.

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Fig. 1: An overview of host–guest chemistry in the solid state.
Fig. 2: Applications of solid-state host–guest chemistry based on crown ether hosts.
Fig. 3: Applications of solid-state host–guest chemistry based on cucurbituril hosts.
Fig. 4: Applications of host–guest chemistry in the solid state based on pillararene hosts.
Fig. 5: Applications of host–guest chemistry in the solid state based on other hosts that are less commonly used.

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Acknowledgements

F.H. thanks the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFA0910100), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22035006), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LD21B020001) and the Starry Night Science Fund of Zhejiang University Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study (SN-ZJU-SIAS-006) for financial support. F.H. thanks the Chemistry Instrumentation Center of Zhejiang University for technical support.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Huangtianzhi Zhu, Liya Chen.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stoddart Institute of Molecular Science, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China

    Huangtianzhi Zhu, Liya Chen, Bin Sun, Mengbin Wang, Hao Li, J. Fraser Stoddart & Feihe Huang

  2. ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center-Hangzhou Zhijiang Silicone Chemicals Co., LTD Joint Lab, Zhejiang–Israel Joint Laboratory of Self-Assembling Functional Materials, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, P. R. China

    Huangtianzhi Zhu, Liya Chen, Bin Sun, Mengbin Wang, Hao Li, J. Fraser Stoddart & Feihe Huang

  3. Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    J. Fraser Stoddart

  4. School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

    J. Fraser Stoddart

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  1. Huangtianzhi Zhu
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Contributions

H.Z. and F.H. conceived the idea and drafted the proposal. H.Z. wrote most of the content. L.C. completed all graphic tasks. B.S. and H.L. wrote the solid versus solution section. M.W. wrote the crown ether section. H.Z., F.H., H.L. and J.F.S. edited and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hao Li, J. Fraser Stoddart or Feihe Huang.

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Nature Reviews Chemistry thanks Harry Gibson, Jonathan Sessler, Ying-Wei Yang and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Zhu, H., Chen, L., Sun, B. et al. Applications of macrocycle-based solid-state host–guest chemistry. Nat Rev Chem 7, 768–782 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-023-00531-9

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