This lecture follows the course of research that elaborates synthetic structures with concave surfaces into container compounds. These containers are deep, open-ended cavitands that largely surround their target molecules and confine their motions. The selectivity of the recognition event and the forces involved are presented. Progress on the development of water-soluble cavitands and their application to difficult separations are reported. The structure and vase-like shape of a deepened cavitand is shown below.

Molecular behavior in confined spaces

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.