Recent advances in assemblies of cyclodextrins and amphiphiles: construction and regulation

Cyclodextrins (CDs) had been regarded as destructors in molecular assembly systems for a long time until CD/surfactants were found to assemble into high order structure driven by hydrogen bonding between CDs. Thereafter, intensive researches have been conducted on construction and regulation of CD-amphiphile systems. Here, we summarized the recent progress on construction and regulation of CDs and amphiphiles assembly. The scope of amphiphiles have been extended from surfactants (ionic surfactants, zwitterion surfactants, nonionic surfactants, gemini surfactant, and so on), to nontypical amphiphiles (amines, aromatic molecules, alkanes, and so on). Owing to the abundant choices of guest amphiphiles and dynamic nature of host-guest inclusive interaction, numerous regulation methods (such as enzyme, light, pH, concentration, temperature, and so on) have been used in CD-amphiphile systems. Moreover, remarks and future perspectives are also discussed at the end of this review, which is expected to stimulate progress on both mechanism and application level.