Shape-Persistent Organic Cage Compounds by Dynamic Covalent Bond Formation

One area of supramolecular chemistry involves the synthesis of discrete three-dimensional molecules or supramolecular aggregates through the coordination of metals. This field also concerns the chemistry of supramolecular cage compounds constructed through the use of such coordination bonds. To date, there exists a broad variety of supramolecular cage compounds; however, analogous organic cage compounds formed with only covalent bonds are relatively rare. Recent progress in this field can be attributed to important advances, not least the application of dynamic covalent chemistry. This concept makes it possible to start from readily available precursors, and in general allows the synthesis of cage compounds in fewer steps and usually higher yields. © 2010 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.