Cucurbit[n]urils Based Molecular Recognition with Fluorescence Signalling

Abstract

The development of fluorescence based supramolecules offering selectivity, sensitivity and detection in real time applications are of great interest. Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]), a macrocyclic synthetic host molecule consists of a varying number of glycoluril units bridged by methylene groups. CB[n]s easily forms host-guest complexes (inclusion complexes) with a wide range of analytes. The recognition of analytes in the presence of host molecules using fluorescence techniques received greater attention due to its rapid response, high sensitivity to the environment and robust adaptability. Exploiting the fluorescence properties of CB[n] based supramolecules by enhancing or quenching the fluorescence intensity in the presence of guest molecules by spectrofluorometric methods is discussed. A brief outlook on the development of fluorescence properties of CB[n] based supramolecules used for imaging and photodynamic therapy is presented and discussed.

Keywords: Binding affinity, Cucurbiturils, Fluorescence, Host-guest complex, Molecular Recognition, Non-covalent interactions, Supramolecules.

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