Supramolecular Sensors for the Detection of Alcohols.

Cooperativity between different noncovalent host-guest interactions is the key for the successful generation of selective supramolecular sensors. A new class of cavitands capable of synergistic CH small middle dot small middle dot small middle dotpi interactions and hydrogen bonding has been designed and exploited for the detection of alcohol vapors using mass transducers (see schematic representation).