Supramolecular Logic Gates Based on the Conjugates of Calixarenes and Carbohydrates.

Abstract

In the era of application-oriented research, laboratory to real life translation is highly regarded and in great demand. This could mean that molecular science developed for sensing and detecting a variety of chemical species awaits conversion to devices. In that, the molecular logic gates are the most promising ones where the information storage and/or data processing can be easily carried out in terms of molecular inputs and electrical response outputs. This would facilitate the simultaneous execution of a diverse array of molecular sensing functions. The recent progress in molecular logic gates based on supramolecular optical receptors, in particular, fluorescent ones, such as calixarene derivatives and carbohydrate conjugates will have a transformative impact on molecular devices and will encourage this science to yield technology. Therefore, this review provides a critical evaluation of recent publications on molecular logic gates based on the derivatives of calixarenes and glyco-conjugates, including several from our own research group, with the view that the corresponding applications are a beneficiary in laboratory-to-device translation. In addition, this review is also expected to assist young researchers in planning their research focus in the broad area of supramolecular-based logic gates targeting some specific applications.