In
chemistry
Chemistry is the science, scientific study of the properties and behavior of matter. It is a natural science that covers the Chemical element, elements that make up matter to the chemical compound, compounds made of atoms, molecules and ions ...
, a cavitand is a container-shaped
molecule. The cavity of the cavitand allows it to engage in
host–guest chemistry with guest molecules of a complementary shape and size. The original definition proposed by
Cram
Cram may refer to:
* Cram (surname), a surname, and list of notable persons having the surname
* Cram.com, a website for creating and sharing flashcards
* Cram (Australian game show), a television show
* ''Cram'' (game show), a TV game show that ...
includes many classes of molecules:
cyclodextrins
Cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of a macrocyclic ring of glucose subunits joined by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Cyclodextrins are produced from starch by enzymatic conversion. They are used in food, pharmaceutical, ...
,
calixarenes,
pillararene
Pillararenes are macrocycles composed of hydroquinone or dialkoxybenzene units (5 to 10) linked in the para position by methylene bridges. They are structurally similar to the cucurbiturils and calixarenes that play an important part in host–gue ...
s and
cucurbiturils. However, modern usage in the field of
supramolecular chemistry specifically refers to cavitands formed on a
resorcinarene scaffold by bridging adjacent phenolic units. The simplest bridging unit is methylene (), although dimethylene (), trimethylene (),
benzal,
xylyl,
pyridal,
2,3-disubstituted-quinoxaline,
''o''-dinitrobenzyl,
dialkylsilydine, and
phosphonates are known. Cavitands that have an extended aromatic bridging unit, or an extended cavity containing 3 rows of aromatic rings are referred to as deep-cavity cavitands and have broad applications in host-guest chemistry. These types of cavitands were extensively investigated by
Rebek, and
Gibb, among others.
Applications of Cavitands
Specific cavitands form the basis of rigid templates onto which ''
de novo'' proteins can be chemically linked. This ''template assembled synthetic protein'' (TASP) structure provides a platform for the study of
protein structure.
Silicon surfaces
functionalized with tetraphosphonate cavitands have been used to singularly
detect sarcosine in water and
urine solutions.
See also
*
Molecular recognition
References
{{Reflist
Supramolecular chemistry
Chelating agents