Kinetic and thermodynamic concepts as synthetic tools in supramolecular chemistry for preparing macrocycles and molecular cages

Macrocyclic and cage structures preorganize functional groups around a central cavity providing unique properties in the field of supramolecular chemistry. Their synthesis requires an appropriate design of the building blocks that will form a macrocycle through a macrocyclization reaction or a cage through a cage formation reaction. Besides the importance of the appropriate geometry of the building blocks, it is necessary to design a suitable synthetic route with special attention to the final macrocyclization or cage formation reaction pathway. The kinetic and thermodynamic aspects are crucial factors to consider for a successful reaction that will be analyzed in this digest. (c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article introduces the importance of macrocyclic and cage structures in the field of supramolecular chemistry, as well as their synthesis design and synthetic routes. The kinetic and thermodynamic aspects are analyzed for their influence on the success of the reactions.