Azamacrocyclic systems with different supramolecular functions

Abstract

The creation of function and properties on the molecular level is one of the challenges of modern chemistry. A molecular function can be as simple as a selective recognition of a guest molecule or as complex as a molecular motor. Always reversible intermolecular non-covalent interactions are key elements in the design of molecular functionality. We summarise in this review recent examples of functional supramolecular compounds. All examples have in common an azamacrocycle as their core element, whereby we have to focus on cyclen and cyclam. We start with simple functions, such as the recognition or sensing of anions and cations, leading to examples where neutral guest molecules - as complex as a HIV-1 regulatory protein - are bound. In model compounds that mimic biological processes, such as hydrolysis or redox reactions, the ability to act as a functional model very much depends on their molecular structure. This allows to derive structure - property relations, from which the most significant structural parameters can be identified. From the numerous examples of azamacrocycle-based lanthanides chemosensors we can only present a few illustrative examples due to the limited size available for this review article. We apologise to all authors whose excellent contributions could not be included. © 2005 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.