Heteroditopic Rotaxanes and Catenanes for Ion Pair Recognition

Abstract

A review of heteroditopic interlocked molecules and their application as receptors for simple inorganic ion pair species. The review details the design and ion recognition properties of the rotaxane and catenane receptors, as well as highlighting some of the experimental challenges; hence, it provides insight into possible future avenues of research in this youthful field.

Keywords

• rotaxane
• catenane
• host-guest recognition
• ion pair