Molecular recognition in water by synthetic hydrogen-bonding receptors

Hydrogen bonding is crucial in biological systems but challenging to replicate in synthetic receptors operating in water due to solvent competition. This minireview highlights recent advances in the design of synthetic hydrogen-bonding receptors that function effectively in water. By employing strategies like hydrophobicityassisted hydrogen bonding, charge-assisted interactions, and dynamic covalent chemistry, researchers have developed effective approaches to synthesizing hydrogen-bonding receptors with enhanced affinity and selectivity for hydrophilic substrates. These innovations not only overcome the traditional hurdles of aqueous molecular recognition but also open new avenues in environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and materials science. The progress underscores the potential of these receptors to drive significant advancements in molecular recognition within aqueous media.