Abstract

The design and synthesis of molecular container compounds is playing an important role in host–guest chemistry. Porous organic molecular cages (OMCs) represent an exciting type of container-like compounds and have attracted intensive attention in the past few decades. These materials are constructed through covalent bonds and can be synthesized in reasonable yield by making use of dynamic covalent chemistry. Furthermore, they can pack to form crystalline materials with void spaces, thus showing potential applications in gas absorption and molecular separation. In this article, we highlight the state-of-the-art development in the synthesis, functionalization and application of OMCs.

Keywords: Dynamic covalent chemistry, gas absorption and separation, molecular container compounds, molecular reaction flask, molecular recognition, porous solid materials.

Graphical Abstract