Functional molecular flasks: new properties and reactions within discrete, self-assembled hosts.
The application of self-assembled hosts as "molecular flasks" has precipitated a surge of interest in the reactivity and properties of molecules within well-defined confined spaces. The facile and modular synthesis of self-assembled hosts has enabled a variety of hosts of differing sizes, shapes, and properties to be prepared. This Review briefly highlights the various molecular flasks synthesized before focusing on their use as functional molecular containers--specifically for the encapsulation of guest molecules to either engender unusual reactions or unique chemical phenomena. Such self-assembled cavities now constitute a new phase of chemistry, which cannot be achieved in the conventional solid, liquid, and gas phases.
Yoshizawa
Michito
M
Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8503, Japan.
Klosterman
Jeremy K
JK
Fujita
Makoto
M