Cucurbiturils for environmental and analytical chemistry

Inclusion compounds may help solving many chemical problems, especially concerning phase transfer processes, selective binding, molecular capture or pre-concentration-limited analytical methods. Cucurbiturils emerged as a unique class of molecular containers: They offer a wide range of cavity sizes, multi-mode binding mechanisms with a vast series of guest molecules, allied to chemical, thermal and biofouling inertness. Thanks to simple preparation routes, cucurbiturils may deliver cost-effective alternatives to address environmental chemistry issues, as well as specific routine analysis procedures. The present review aims to present the research advances regarding cucurbiturils (CB[n]) in analytical chemistry and their applications in environmental remediation science and technology.

Automated summary

Inclusion compounds can effectively address various chemical issues, with cucurbiturils standing out as a unique class of molecular containers that offer a wide range of cavity sizes and multi-mode binding mechanisms. Their chemical, thermal, and biofouling inertness make them cost-effective alternatives for environmental chemistry problems and routine analysis procedures. This review focuses on the research progress of cucurbiturils in analytical chemistry and their applications in environmental remediation science and technology.