Cucurbituril containing supramolecular nanomaterials

Abstract

National Magnetic Resonance Research Center UMRAM Cucurbituril-based supramolecular nanomaterials are getting increasing attention due to their tailorable properties and functions. By making use of the host–guest chemistry of cucurbiturils, a variety of nanostructured materials, including nanoparticles, micelles, vesicles and capsules, have been prepared with many potential applications in such areas as theranostics, photonics, sensing and catalysis. The nanostructured materials prepared in this way are reversible but stable; that is an important feature in stimuli-responsive cargo delivery. Cucurbituril-based nanostructured materials could also be prepared by conjugating the mono- or multifunctionalized cucurbituril (CB) derivatives to suitable substituted platforms. With this method, it is also possible to prepare nanoparticles and capsules. Accordingly, this chapter will discuss the recent advances in cucurbituril-based supramolecular nanomaterials, and special emphasis will be given to supramolecular nanomaterials formed through the host–guest chemistry of cucurbiturils and functionalized CB-based nanoparticles, but capsule formation will not be discussed in this chapter as Kim et al. reviews this topic in Chapter 10.