Macrocyclic arene-based metal-organic cages

Abstract

This review explores the field of discrete metal-organic cages (MOCs) constructed using macrocyclic arenes (MAs) as key structural components, a subject that has garnered significant interest in recent years because of their fascinating architectures, precisely structured cavities, along with extensive utility in molecular recognition, host-guest interactions, catalysis, and gas separation, and so on. The review highlights recent advancements in the synthesis of MA-based MOCs, emphasizing two principal assembly approaches: (i) the direct coordination of macrocyclic arenes with metal ions, and (ii) the integration of macrocyclic arenes with metal ions and additional linkers. The discussion is organized according to the types of macrocyclic arenes utilized, including calixarenes, resorcinarenes, pyrogallolarenes, cyclotriveratrylenes, and pillararenes, with a focus on formation mechanisms, structural features, structure-function relationships, and applications of these MA-based MOCs. Additionally, the review addresses current existing challenges in the field and provides perspectives on future directions for the development and utilization of MA-based MOCs.