Supramolecular fluorescence biosensing based on macrocycles

Fluorescence sensing converts chemical events into measurable readings by utilizing fluorescence signals for the qualitative or quantitative detection of specific analytes. Supramolecular chemistry, reliant upon non-covalent interactions, has emerged as a potent paradigm for sensing applications, garnering significant scholarly attention. The adoption of supramolecular chemistry within the realm of sensing offers several significant advantages, including easy construction, rapid response, dynamic reversibility, and compatibility with pattern recognition. Notably, molecular recognition stands as a pivotal facet of supramolecular sensing. Among the integral constituents of supramolecular chemistry, an array of macrocyclic compounds boasts remarkable molecular recognition properties, apt for diverse guest molecules, and finds extensive utility in fluorescence sensing. This review highlights the pivotal contributions of fluorescent sensors rooted in crown ethers, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cucurbiturils, and other macrocycles in single sensing, differential sensing and bioimaging. The versatility of these sensors extends to diverse media, encompassing aqueous environments, buffer solutions, and biofluid matrices. Additionally, this review provides insights into the future endeavors and forthcoming research directions in the field of supramolecular sensing and imaging.