Molecular recognition and self-assembly of pillarenes

As a rapidly developing class of synthetic macrocycles with intrinsic characteristics and properties, pillarenes (or pillararenes) have become more and more attractive on account of their unique features and potentials in fabricating functional materials. This feature article provides an overview of molecular recognition and self-assembly of pillarenes. The host–guest motifs, building strategies, topological architectures, stimuli-responsiveness, functionalities and various supramolecular assemblies including mechanically interlocked molecules containing rotaxanes, polyrotaxanes and catenanes, self-inclusion complexes, supramolecular dimers and polymers, micelles, vesicles, tubes and artificial transmembrane channels are comprehensively discussed. Prospects about future research directions and applications in this research area are predicted.