The cover picture shows the binding gradient effect of two hydrogen bonding-driven foldamer-dirived molecular tweezers. For a pentafluorophenyl-appended pyridine ligand, in the cavity of the tweezer, two binding interactions, i.e., the N-Zn(II) coordination and zinc porphyrin-pentafluorobenzene donor-acceptor interactions stabilize the encapsulation of the ligand in the cavity of the tweezers. After the binding in the cavity take places, further coordination of the ligand from outside the tweezer becomes much less favorable due to the interaction occurring in the cavity, which is evidenced by the UV-vis and ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR experiments. More details are discussed in the article by Li et al. on page 582–588.

CD-based porous nanocapsules (CDPNCs) are a class of covalently cross-linked networks based on CDs with a three-dimensional structure. Chemical cross-linking is an important way developed to prepare CDPNCs. CDPNCs can be obtained using different cross-linkers and preparation methods, such as homogeneous method, miniemulsion polymerization, and emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Because of cross-linking, a three-dimensional network is built which forms the porous structure in CDPNCs with the cavities of CDs. CDPNCs not only take on the merits of CDs, including host-guest interaction, molecular recognition, stability, and biocompatibility, but also possess new functions given by the porous structure. CDPNCs are promising nanomaterials which are expected to be applied in diverse fields.

Two porous organic polymers were synthesized by Click reaction of rigid macrocyclic CTV-alkyne with azide. These polymers showed high thermal-stability and moderate hydrogen uptake.

Although the tweezers bear two and three zinc porphyrin units, respectively, 1:1 and 1:2 binding patterns are favored in which the coordination and stacking interaction promote each other.

Three new macrocyclic azacalix[4]aromatics that comprise various numbers of pyridine and pyrazine rings bridged by N-CH₃ groups were synthesized. Structural characterization explored that their conformations are fluxional in solution and each adopts a 1,3-alternate configuration in crystalline solids.

A π-conjugated phenylaza-15-crown-5-triazol-substituted coumarin fluoroionophore 1 was synthesized. 1 can display selective fluorescence enhancement toward Fe³⁺ over Hg²⁺, Cr³⁺ and the other metal ions in aqueous solution. In sharp contrast, Hg²⁺ gives the largest fluorescence enhancement over Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺ and the other metal ions in EtOH.

Triptycene-derived cylindrical macrotricyclic host with a large central cavity could form stable 1:1 complexes with not only polyether linked bisparaquat derivative but also a self-folding A-D-A guest. Moreover, switchable processes between the host and both the bisparaquat derivative and the self-folding guest could be controlled by potassium ions.

A highly efficient one-pot synthesis of fluorescein-based halogenated dyes with relatively high yield was reported. Introduction of fluoro and chloro functional groups and forming host-guest complexes with cyclodextrins enhanced their photostability.

Two rigid porous materials CTV-CMP-1 and CTV-CMP-2 have been synthesized via Sonogashira-Hagihara and Suzuki coupling reactions which showed both microporous and mesoporous properties and moderate hydrogen adsorption about 0.81 wt% at 1.13 bar.

1,4-Bis(methoxy)pillar[5]arene MeP5 can form complexes with primary ammonium salts, but 1,4-bis(butoxy)pillar[5]arene BuP5 can not form such complexes. The length of the alkyl chains of pillar[5]arenes plays an important role for the high selectivity in their host-guest interactions.

Two novel photochromic macrocycles 1 and 2 bearing dithienylethene units and urea building blocks have been synthesized, and their photochromic properties are described.

The cocrystallization of mebendazole with a series of n-alkyl carboxylic acids generated two salts of 1–2 and five solvates of 3–7, and their structures and thermal stabilities were investigated. Compounds 1–7 provide new solid forms of mebendazole for improvement of its physical and chemical properties.

An effective strategy to create anions probes by conjugating imidazolium with BINOL derivatives has been achieved, and this method enabled naked eye and dual channel (absorption and fluorescence) detection of F⁻ and AcO⁻ ions. More importantly, introduction of a lipophilic dodecyl appendage at imidazolium nitrogen ((R)-5) led to dramatic enhancement of the interaction with anions.

A non-natural aromatic foldamer with unique 'S'-styled helical supersecondary structures does self-assemble to well-defined twisted helical microfibers in binary solvent.

A green, simple, and effective approach was developed to synthesize biocompatible cyclodextrin-based porous nanospheres (CDPNSs). The cross-linking is allowed to take place at room temperature in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAA) as the cross-linker. The resulting CD-based polymers (CDPs) were reshaped from a random morphology into a spherical shape during a dialysis process, and CDPNSs were formed with the average diameter of 237±93 nm and the size distribution of 100–400 nm. Furthermore, a study on drug loading and in vitro release behavior of CDPNSs was carried out, where acridine red (AR) was chosen as a drug model. The loading capacity is up to (9.8±0.2) wt% and the encapsulation efficiency is up to (40.2±0.8) wt%. With regard to the release of AR from CDPNSs in vitro, (82.3±0.2)% of AR was released within 24 h. It is expected that CDPNSs will find potential applications as drug delivery systems in the future.

A series of novel rhomboidal pyrene-modified metallodendrimers R1–R6 were constructed via directional metal-ligand bonding approach.

The tripodal tris(4-pyridylurea) receptor (L) was synthesized and its anion binding properties studied. The ligand forms a 2:1 (H/G) complex with MgSO₄, [SO₄²⁻⊂L₂], in which a sulfate ion is encapsulated by six urea groups as in the analogous complex of the 3-pyridyl-substituted ligand. The anion binding behavior of ligand L in solution was studied.

Tetraamido-oxacalix[4]arene derivatives have been synthesized and their structural and assembly properties have been discussed.

A significant fluorescent enhancement was observed upon adding Th⁴⁺ for a crescent aromatic oligoamide, allowing a visual detection for Th⁴⁺ over some other lanthanide and uranyl ions under UV-light (365 nm).

Self-assembled fluorous gold nanoparticles in water with carbohydrates covered on surface showing reversible binding ability to lectin.