The scientific and practical interest in coronands (crown ethers), cryptands, podands as complexing agents for cations as well as for anions and neutral low molecular species is undeniable 1,2). The chemistry of crown compounds is steadily increasing. About 250 original papers dealing with crown chemistry appeared only in 1980. New molecules· with crown ether properties are constantly synthesized and new applications discov,?red. Owing to lack of space, only a small number of the original publications is men tioned here. Thus, in the literature compilation only some, but relevant works are selected for each chapter. Whenever possible, reference is made to reviews or review-like articles alone by means of which origin,al works can be consulted. The reviews given under ref. 1) are considered to be the most relevant. The formulae presented in the figures should be understood as representative structures outlining a specific field. 2 Classification of Oligo-/Multidentate Neutral Ligands and of their Complexes Today, a distinction is made between the classical ring oligoethers (crown ethers) and monocyclic coronands, oligocyclic spherical cryptands and the acyclic podands with respect to topological aspects 3). This classification and the topology are illustrated in Fig. 1, each figure representing the minimum number of donor atoms and chain segments characteristic of each class of compounds. Multidentate mono cyclic ligands with any type of donor atoms are called coronands ("crown compounds"), while the term crown ether should be reserved for cyclic oligoethers exclusively containing oxygen as donor atom.

The study of macrocyclic ligand systems represents a major activity impinging on a wide range of areas in chemistry and biochemistry. This book contains an overview of the macrocyclic ligand systems and discusses the structure and properties of macrocyclic systems; the synthesis of macrocycles; polyether crown and related systems; metal-ion and molecular recognition (host-guest chemistry); and kinetic, thermodynamic, and electrochemical aspects of these complexes. The author also covers the various categories of synthetic and naturally occuring macrocycles.

This book provides a complete overview of cucurbituril chemistry, covering fundamental aspects including history, synthesis and host-guest chemistry.

Macrocyclic Chemistry: Current Trends and Future Perspectives illustrates essential concepts in this expanding research field covering both basic and applied studies. Written by well-known experts from around the world, the topics of the chapters range from new macrocyclic architectures with different functions and self-assembly processes through to the modeling and dynamics of such systems. The content also reflects on application possibilities in analytical chemistry, separation processes, material preparation and medicine. Thus this book serves as a creative source of research strategies and methodic tools. Providing an excellent overview of the field, this book will be a valuable resource for researchers in industry and academic institutions as well as for teachers of science and graduate students. This book is devoted to the long-standing tradition of the International Symposia on Macrocyclic Chemistry (ISMC) and published to coincide with the 30th meeting, Dresden, Germany.