Polymeric self-assembled cucurbit[n]urils: Synthesis, structures and applications

In recent years, cucurbit[ n]urils (CB[n] or Q[n]s) have attracted considerable attention on account of their unique structural and host-guest binding properties. In this review, we provide an overview of their self-assembly into polymeric species via Q[n]-mediated tertiary host-guest interactions, and where appropriate, focus on potential applications. The first part of the review describes systems in terms of their structural type from the adoption of tertiary complexes through to microcapsules and vesicles, whilst the second part of the review discusses the systems by way of differing applications. Within each section, systems are arranged in terms of Q[n] size, with n = 5 to 14, and the type of bonding involved, namely the use of either covalent bonding or non-covalent bonding in combination with host-guest interactions. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.