Anion recognition is becoming an active area in supramolecular chemistry because the anions play important roles in biological systems and environmental conservation. This minireview will focuses on the important developments of anion encapsulation and complexation, based on the use of the cucurbit[n]urils (Q[n]) and their derivatives. It will be shown that anion encapsulation by Q[n]s and their derivatives mainly depends on size and shape complementarity between host and guest, as well as hydrophobic effect and host–guest interactions. The anion complexation of Q[n]s and their derivatives with large anions seems to depends on “out-surface interaction”, including ion–dipole interaction and hydrogen bonding.
Graphical abstract
This minireview covers the advancement of anion encapsulation and complexation by cucurbit[n]urils and their derivatives.