Recent advances in pillar[5]arene chemistry

The class of pillar[n]arene macrocycles has existed since 2008 when the synthesis and structure ofthe cyclopentamer, 1,4-dimethoxypillar[5]arene, was first reported. In subsequent years, members of the pillar[n]arene family have shown great potential in fields as diverse as polymer science, sensor technology and medical diagnostics. Over 350 papers have now been published on the pillar[n]arenes; this review focuses on advances made in the synthesis and applications of thepillar[5]arenes.