The aqueous supramolecular chemistry of crown ethers

Zhenhui Qi; Yao Qin; Jijun Wang; Maojin Zhao; Zhuo Yu; Qiangqiang Xu; Hongqi Nie; Qilong Yan; Yan Ge

doi:10.3389/fchem.2023.1119240

The aqueous supramolecular chemistry of crown ethers

Front Chem. 2023 Jan 20:11:1119240. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1119240. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Zhenhui Qi¹, Yao Qin¹, Jijun Wang¹, Maojin Zhao¹, Zhuo Yu¹, Qiangqiang Xu¹, Hongqi Nie², Qilong Yan², Yan Ge¹

Affiliations

¹ Sino-German Joint Research Lab for Space Biomaterials and Translational Technology, Synergetic Innovation Center of Biological Optoelectronics and Healthcare Engineering (BOHE), Shaanxi Provincial Synergistic Innovation Center for Flexible Electronics & Health Sciences (FEHS), School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
² Science and Technology on Combustion, Internal Flow and Thermostructure Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.

Abstract

This mini-review summarizes the seminal exploration of aqueous supramolecular chemistry of crown ether macrocycles. In history, most research of crown ethers were focusing on their supramolecular chemistry in organic phase or in gas phase. In sharp contrast, the recent research evidently reveal that crown ethers are very suitable for studying abroad range of the properties and applications of water interactions, from: high water-solubility, control of Hofmeister series, "structural water", and supramolecular adhesives. Key studies revealing more details about the properties of water and aqueous solutions are highlighted.

Keywords: crown ethers; hofmeister series; responsive materials; selenium; structural water.

Publication types

Review