Directed assembly metallocyclic supramolecular systems for molecular recognition and chemical sensing

In recent years there has been immense interest in metallo-supramolecular architectures and their functional properties. The incorporation of metal centers into supramolecules opens up new possibilities for designing more robust receptors for chemical sensing purposes of ionic and neutral molecules. This review focuses on the advances made in the functional properties of the metallocyclic supramolecules with an emphasis on their potential use in the area of molecular recognition and sensing. We have also tried to cover, to some extent, the use of metallocyclic supramolecules in solid-state thin films for size-selective and chemical composition selectivity of volatile organic guest compounds. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.