Supramolecular chemistry of cucurbiturils

The main principles of the design of supramolecular compounds starting from organic macrocyclic cavitands, viz., cucurbit[n]urils [C₆H₆N₄O₂]_n (n=5–10), are considered. The presence of the hydrophobic inner cavity along with polar carbonyl groups forming the cucurbituril portals are responsible for high specificity of the formation of host–guest complexes. The unique ability of cucurbiturils to act as synthetic molecular containers is discussed. In these containers, bimolecular reactions between specially selected guests proceed with high regio- and stereoselectivity. The review surveys new data on the directed construction of supramolecular organic–inorganic compounds through the formation of an extensive network of hydrogen bonds between the portal oxygen atoms of cucurbiturils and water molecules of metal aqua complexes. The bibliography includes 108 references.