Macrocyclic receptors are key elements in the foundation and development of supramolecular chemistry, because they not only provide binding cavities that are capable of trapping guest molecules and can be chemically modified to bear functional groups for their novel binding properties, but also reveal their nature of intermolecular interactions to know how to instruct supramolecular self-assembly and the applications of functional materials. Since 1967, either the old or the emergence of new ones, a wide range of applications (such as supramolecular assemblies, supramolecular polymers, supramolecular gelators, supramolecular catalysis, molecular machines and devices, and other kinds of novel materials) were intensively explored. Therefore, the design and synthesis of novel macrocyclic molecules and the investigation of their molecular recognition properties play a vital role in supramolecular chemistry.
大环受体分子是超分子化学得主要研究对象。因为大环主体分子不仅能够提供键合受体分子得空腔，还可以通过化学反应修饰官能团来提升键合性质，更为重要的是可以通过研究弱相互作用力来发展超分子自组装以及功能材料应用。自从1967年以来，对于超分子大环的研究出现了一股热潮。主要是基于超分子自组装，超分子聚合物，超分子凝胶，超分子催化和分子机器等。因此，设计和合成大环分子以及研究分子识别在超分子化学领域具有很重要的作用。
