Functionalization of pillar[n]arenes towards optically responsive systems via host–guest interactions

Because of their host–guest complexation ability, pillar[n]arenes are promising building blocks for optically responsive materials. The ease of introducing functional groups into pillar[n]arenes allows for versatile molecular design. Moreover, the guest selectivity, donor properties, and planar chirality of pillar[n]arenes enable creation of unique response systems. This review presents progress in the field of pillar[n]arene-based optical response systems, focusing on color, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and circularly polarized luminescence signal changes via host–guest interactions in solution and solid states.