Molecular Container and Metal Ion Sensor Chiral Cavitands

Chiral macrocyclic cavitands prepared by a template free, high dilution methodology have been discovered to function as molecular containers accommodating small organic molecules and host transition metal ions with specific sensing ability while having an outstanding capability to sense Zn(2+)with switch-on fluorescence and also act as a selective colorimetric sensor for Cu2+. The cavitand acts as a unique two-directional molecular tweezers for the guest molecules.