Towards applications of supramolecular host–guest electrochemistry

ABSTRACT

Supramolecular chemistry is, broadly, the study of noncovalent interactions. Electrochemistry inherently involves supramolecular organisation of ions and solvent, so the use of supramolecular chemistry in electrochemistry has the potential for great utility in various applications. Studies of supramolecular host–guest electrochemistry have been reported for decades. In recent years, these studies have moved past investigations of basic principles and towards functional systems. This perspective will describe the main directions in which applications of functional supramolecular host–guest electrochemical systems are being developed: sensing, ion transport, and catalysis. While these research directions have shown promising results, study of supramolecular host–guest electrochemistry remains relatively rare. Challenges in the development of these systems and an outlook for future research will be outlined.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Host–guest electrochemistry
• electrochemical sensing
• ion transport
• redox-switching
• electrocatalysis

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10610278.2024.2386413.

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Dean Toste, Ken Raymond, and Bob Bergman for advisement of her doctoral research, expert guidance in the field of supramolecular chemistry and physical organic chemistry, and support of her various intellectual pursuits. The author thanks Matthew Nava, M.E.R., and S.E.R, for reading and providing feedback on drafts of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).