The development of low molecular weight anion transporters is an emerging topic in supramolecular chemistry. The major focus of this tutorial review is on synthetic chloride transport systems that operate in vesicle and cell membranes. The transporters alter transmembrane concentration gradients, and thus they have applications as reagents for cell biology research and as potential chemotherapeutic agents. The molecular designs include monomolecular channels, self-assembled channels and mobile carriers. Also discussed are the experimental assays that measure transport rates across model bilayer membranes.

The chemical and photophysical properties of a fluorescent squaraine dye are greatly enhanced when it is mechanically encapsulated inside a tetralactam macrocycle. This feature article describes the synthesis, structure, and photophysical performance of first-generation squaraine rotaxanes, and shows how they can be used as fluorescent imaging probes and chemosensors.

Biotin/(strept)avidin self-assembly can be mimicked using supramolecular pairs based on synthetic derivatives of cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, and various organic cyclophanes.