Multifunctional Pillar[n]arene-Based Smart Nanomaterials

Abstract

The construction of smart nanomaterials from host macrocycles that are responsive to specific stimuli has gained significant attention in recent years. The application of pillar­[n]­arenes has been of particular interest given their ease of functionalization and tunability of the intrinsic cavity electronic properties that allows them to encapsulate a great variety of guests and complex with metal ions with high selectivity via noncovalent interactions, endowing them with captivating properties and functions. Herein, we present the most recent advances in the design and functionalization of pillar­[n]­arene-based smart nanomaterials, and their applications for sensing, catalysis, drug delivery, and artificial transmembrane channels.

The coming of age of water channels for separation membranes: from biological to biomimetic to synthetic

“…by attaching side chains onto the central ring). 20,111,112 Pillar [5]arenes are typically attached with side chains (e.g. hydrazide units) such that they are long enough (B5 nm) to span the entire lipid bilayer (B3.7 nm), with their tubular structure stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the adjoining hydrazide chains.…”

Controlled release of drug molecules by pillararene-modified nanosystems

“…9 One kind of stimuli-responsive nanosystem is fabricated on the basis of host–guest systems. 10 The intermolecular interaction and spatial structure of these host–guest systems change dynamically and reversibly according to specific stimulus. Various stimuli-responsive host–guest systems have been applied in different fields, such as fluorescent sensors, 11 drug delivery systems, 12 and smart functional materials.…”

Green, Efficient Detection and Removal of Hg2+ by Water-Soluble Fluorescent Pillar[5]arene Supramolecular Self-Assembly

“…Some design intentions are listed as follows. (1) Water-soluble carboxylatopillar[5]arene possessed five carboxylate groups on each rim and good binding ability toward guest molecules [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ], which was selected as a supramolecular host. It may also have cation⋯π and electrostatic interactions with Hg 2+ .…”