Photoreactions in Amphiphilic Microreactors with "Soft" Cavities: Controlling Product Selectivity in Solution

The recent advances in the development and application of amphiphilic photomicroreactors with “soft” cavities in terms of supramolecular chemistry are reviewed. In this article, we describe how these microreactors alter the photochemical behavior of guests inside their “soft” confined and restrict microenvironment. The main aim is to show the different types of amphiphilic microreactors, the photoreactions occurring within them and the great promise of these microreactors. Finally a comparison between the “soft” cavities and “hard” cavities (such as zeolite, cage molecules, etc.) as well as the current challenges and further directions of these microreactors are also discussed at the end of this review. Keywords: Confined microenvironment, dendrimers, micelles, microreactors, photochemistry, photophysics, polymers, vesicles.