Stemming from early seminal notions of molecular recognition and encapsulation, three-dimensional, cavity-containing capsular compounds and assemblies have attracted intense interest due to the ability to modulate chemical and physical properties of species encapsulated within these confined spaces compared to bulk environments. With such a diverse range of covalent motifs and non-covalent (supramolecular) interactions available to assemble building blocks, an incredibly wide-range of capsular-type architectures have been developed. Furthermore, synthetic tunability of the internal environments gives chemists the opportunity to engineer systems for uses in sensing, sequestration, catalysis and transport of molecules, just to name a few. In this tutorial review, an overview is provided into the design principles, synthesis, characterisation, structural facets and properties of coordination cages, porous organic cages, supramolecular capsules, foldamers and mechanically interlocked molecules. Using seminal and recent examples, the advantages and limitations of each system are explored, highlighting their application in various tasks and functions.

中文翻译：

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超分子和分子胶囊、笼和容器


三维、包含空腔的胶囊化合物和组装体源于分子识别和封装的早期开创性概念，由于与体环境相比，它能够调节封装在这些有限空间内的物种的化学和物理性质，因此引起了人们的强烈兴趣。凭借如此多样化的共价基序和非共价（超分子）相互作用可用于组装构建块，已经开发了非常广泛的囊型结构。此外，内部环境的合成可调性使化学家有机会设计用于分子传感、隔离、催化和运输的系统，仅举几例。在本教学案例中，概述了配位笼、多孔有机笼、超分子胶囊、折叠体和机械互锁分子的设计原理、合成、表征、结构方面和性质。使用开创性和最新的示例，探讨了每种系统的优势和局限性，重点介绍了它们在各种任务和功能中的应用。