Network of Functional Molecular Containers with Controlled Switchable Abilities

Reversible molecular encapsulation constitutes a strategy to control the environment and the encounters of molecules. The isolation from the bulk phase provided by the encapsulation process has a profound impact on the physical and chemical properties of the bound molecular identity such as reactive intermediates can be stabilised, the typical course/rate of chemical reactions occurring in the bulk solution can be altered, reactions can be performed in solvents where reactants are not soluble, etc... Molecular encapsulation is a key strategy also for the selective extraction of neutral molecules, ions and ion-pairs from mixtures. In addition the synthesis of photoactive entities can lead to applications such as "artificial enzyme" catalysis, hazardous chemical capture and reactive intermediate stabilization, drug delivery and release or molecular sensing.