Calixarenes: from biomimetic receptors to multivalent ligands for biomolecular recognition

Calixarenes, Macrocycles with (Almost) Unlimited Possibilities

Böhmer, V. (1995) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English · doi:10.1002/anie.199507131 · Cited by 1,951

Lectins: Carbohydrate-Specific Proteins That Mediate Cellular Recognition

Lis, H., & Sharon, N. (1998) · Chemical Reviews · doi:10.1021/cr940413g · Cited by 1,760

Carbohydrate-Protein Interactions: Basis of Glycobiology

Lee, Y. C., & Lee, R. T. (1995) · Accounts of Chemical Research · doi:10.1021/ar00056a001 · Cited by 1,272

Chemical Biology of the Sugar Code

Gabius, H., Siebert, H., André, S., Jiménez‐Barbero, J., & Rüdiger, H. E. F. (2004) · ChemBioChem · doi:10.1002/cbic.200300753 · Cited by 523

On the Nature of the Multivalency Effect: A Thermodynamic Model

Kitov, P. I., & Bundle, D. R. (2003) · Journal of the American Chemical Society · doi:10.1021/ja038223n · Cited by 445

Development of synthetic membrane transporters for anions

Davis, A. P., Sheppard, D. N., & Smith, B. D. (2006) · Chemical Society Reviews · doi:10.1039/b512651g · Cited by 421

Dinuclear metallo-phosphodiesterase models: application of calix[4]arenes as molecular scaffolds

Molenveld, P., Engbersen, J. F. J., & Reinhoudt, D. N. (2000) · Chemical Society Reviews · doi:10.1039/a804295k · Cited by 392

Biochemistry of the para-sulfonato-calix[n]arenes

Perret, F., Lazar, A. N., & Coleman, A. (2006) · Chemical Communications · doi:10.1039/b600720c · Cited by 385

Animal Lectins

Gabius, H. (1997) · European Journal of Biochemistry · doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.t01-1-00543.x · Cited by 378

Novel photo-switchable polymers based on calix[4]arenes

Wiktorowicz, S., Aseyev, V. O., & Tenhu, H. J. (2012) · Polymer Chemistry · doi:10.1039/c2py20020a · Cited by 11

Binding abilities of a chiral calix[4]resorcinarene: a polarimetric investigation on a complex case of study

Russo, M., & Meo, P. L. (2017) · Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry · doi:10.3762/bjoc.13.268 · Cited by 10

Neutral glycoconjugated amide-based calix[4]arenes: complexation of alkali metal cations in water

Cindro, N., Požar, J., Barišić, D., Bregović, N., Pičuljan, K., Tomaš, R., Frkanec, L., & Tomišić, V. (2017) · Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry · doi:10.1039/c7ob02955a · Cited by 10

Rational Synthesis for All All‐Homocalixarenes

Predeus, A. V., Gopalsamuthiram, V., Staples, R. J., & Wulff, W. D. (2012) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.201206785 · Cited by 10

Synthesis of N -acetylglucosamine and N -acetylallosamine resorcinarene-based multivalent β-thio-glycoclusters: unexpected affinity of N -acetylallosamine ligands towards Wheat Germ Agglutinin

Cristófalo, A. E., Cagnoni, A. J., & Uhrig, M. L. (2020) · Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry · doi:10.1039/d0ob01498b · Cited by 9

Multibranched Calix[4]arene‐Based Sensitizers for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Manfredi, N., Decavoli, C., Boldrini, C. L., Dolla, T. H., Faroldi, F., Sansone, F., Montini, T., Baldini, L., Fornasiero, P., & Abbotto, A. (2020) · European Journal of Organic Chemistry · doi:10.1002/ejoc.202001296 · Cited by 9

Monolayers of an amphiphilic para-carboxy-calix[4]arene act as templates for the crystallization of acetaminophen

Moridi, N., Danylyuk, O., Suwinska, K., & Shahgaldian, P. (2012) · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2012.03.032 · Cited by 9

Enhanced cation recognition by a macrocyclic ionophore at the air–solution interface probed by mass spectrometry

Rodrigo, F., Gámez, F., Avilés‐Moreno, J. R., Pedrosa, J. M., & Martı́nez−Haya, B. (2015) · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics · doi:10.1039/c5cp06671a · Cited by 9

Metal-free synthesis of imino-disaccharides and calix-iminosugars by photoinduced radical thiol–ene coupling (TEC)

Zelli, R., Dumy, P., & Marra, A. (2020) · Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry · doi:10.1039/d0ob00198h · Cited by 9

Ring-closing metathesis approach for the synthesis of optically active l-proline-based macrocycles

Al‐Azemi, T. F., Mohamod, A. A., & Vinodh, M. (2015) · Tetrahedron · doi:10.1016/j.tet.2015.01.041 · Cited by 8

Amino Acid‐Functionalized Calix[4]Resorcinarene Solubilization by Mono‐ and Dicationic Surfactants

Zakharova, L. Y., Serdyuk, A. A., Mirgorodskaya, A. B., Kapitanov, I. V., Gaynanova, G. A., Karpichev, Y., Gavrilova, E. L., & Sinyashin, O. G. (2016) · Journal of Surfactants and Detergents · doi:10.1007/s11743-016-1792-0 · Cited by 8

Nucleic Acids as Supramolecular Targets

García‐España, E., Piantanida, I., & Schneider, H. (2013) · Royal Society of Chemistry eBooks · doi:10.1039/9781849737821-00213 · Cited by 8

Sulfonato and Phosphonatocalix[ n ]arenes in Self-Assembly

Ling, I., & Raston, C. L. (2016) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.12581-8 · Cited by 8

Synthesis and photophysical studies of a multivalent photoreactive RuII-calix[4]arene complex bearing RGD-containing cyclopentapeptides

Kajouj, S., Marcélis, L., Mattiuzzi, A., Grassin, A., Dufour, D., Antwerpen, P. V., Boturyn, D., Defrancq, É., Surin, M., Winter, J. D., et al. (2018) · Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry · doi:10.3762/bjoc.14.150 · Cited by 8

Unimolecular Cucurbit[7]uril‐Based Indicator Displacement Assay with Dual Signal‐Readout for the Detection of Drugs

Picchetti, P., Balli, M. V., Baker, S., Kumar, N. M., Gruhs, P., Prodi, L., & Biedermann, F. (2024) · Analysis & Sensing · doi:10.1002/anse.202400025 · Cited by 7

Supramolecular tuning of thioflavin-T aggregation hosted by polystyrene sulfonate

Pandey, S. P., Awasthi, A. A., & Singh, P. K. (2021) · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics · doi:10.1039/d1cp02030g · Cited by 7

Noncovalent complexation of glucosylthioureidocalix[4]arenes with carboxylates and their gas‐phase characteristics: an ESI‐FTICR mass spectrometric study

Torvinen, M., Kalenius, E., Sansone, F., Casnati, A., & Jänis, J. (2011) · Journal of Mass Spectrometry · doi:10.1002/jms.1947 · Cited by 7

Phenanthroline‐ and Terpyridine‐Substituted Tetralactam Macrocycles: A Facile Route to Rigid Di‐ and Trivalent Receptors and Interlocked Molecules

Dzyuba, E. V., Baytekin, B., Sattler, D., & Schalley, C. A. (2011) · European Journal of Organic Chemistry · doi:10.1002/ejoc.201101231 · Cited by 7

Cation Complexation by Calixarenes

Baldini, L., Sansone, F., & Casnati, A. (2013) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.05616-x · Cited by 7

Polyfunctional branched nitrogen-containing p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene derivatives as efficient agents for packaging calf thymus DNA

Yakimova, L. S., Puplampu, J. B., Evtugin, G. A., & Stoikov, I. I. (2017) · Russian Chemical Bulletin · doi:10.1007/s11172-017-1917-2 · Cited by 7

Switching the Ion Selectivity from Fe 3+ to Al 3+ by a Triazole‐Appended Calix[4]arene‐Based Amphiphile †

Nag, R., Vashishtha, M., & Rao, C. P. (2018) · ChemistrySelect · doi:10.1002/slct.201702999 · Cited by 7

Supramolecular crowns: a new class of cyclic hydrogen-bonded cavitands

Chen, Q., Su, X., Orentas, E., & Shi, Q. (2019) · Organic Chemistry Frontiers · doi:10.1039/c9qo00037b · Cited by 7

Calix[4]azacrowns as ionophores for liquid–liquid extraction and facilitated transport of biological supramolecular complexes

Enache, I. V., Mutihac, L., Othman, A. B., & Vicens, J. (2011) · Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry · doi:10.1007/s10847-011-9944-3 · Cited by 6

Interactions of Calix[n]arenes and Other Organic Supramolecular Systems with Proteins

Perret, F., & Coleman, A. W. (2013) · Royal Society of Chemistry eBooks · doi:10.1039/9781849737821-00140 · Cited by 6

Solvatomorphs of 25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene and 5,11,17,23-tetramino-25,26,27,28-tetrabutoxycalix[4]arene: quenching photoluminescence through switching the guest

Martins, F. T., Maia, L. J. Q., Neto, L. D. S., da Silva, C. M., Sarotti, A. M., & de Fátima, Â. (2017) · CrystEngComm · doi:10.1039/c6ce02649d · Cited by 6

Evaluation of inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by calixarene-based α-ketophosphonic acids

Trush, V. V., Cherenok, S. О., Tanchuk, V. Y., Kаlchеnkо, V. I., & Vovk, A. I. (2015) · Chemical Biology Letters · Cited by 6

Self‐Inclusion Complexation of Electron‐Accepting Guest into Electron‐Donating Cyclic Host by Photoexcitation

Wada, K., Nagata, Y., Cui, L., Ono, T., Akine, S., Ohtani, S., Kato, K., Fa, S., & Ogoshi, T. (2024) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.202404409 · Cited by 5

Unusually air-stable copper( i ) complexes showing high selectivity for carbon monoxide

Saeednia, B., Sragow, A. M., Lin, Y., Sheehan, C., Metlay, A. S., Gau, M. R., Dye, S. A., O'Konski, S. P., Mallouk, T. E., & Dmochowski, I. J. (2025) · Chemical Science · doi:10.1039/d5sc00237k · Cited by 5

Supramolecular Catalysis by Calixarenes

Cacciapaglia, R., Mandolini, L., & Salvio, R. (2013) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.05618-3 · Cited by 5

Oligodentate glycoconjugates based on calixarenes: methods for the synthesis and biological activity

Titov, D. V., Gening, M. L., Tsvetkov, Y. E., & Nifantiev, N. E. (2013) · Russian Chemical Bulletin · doi:10.1007/s11172-013-0082-5 · Cited by 5

The Materials and Application of Artificial Light Harvesting System Based on Supramolecular Self‐assembly

Jiahong, L., Jialu, S., Chenhui, P., & Guoze, Y. (2023) · ChemistrySelect · doi:10.1002/slct.202202979 · Cited by 4

Benzimidazole-derived calix[4]arenes with polymerizable styrene groups and their Cu(II) complexes

Cante-Mota, I., Moreno‐Alcántar, G., Flores-Álamo, M., & Castillo, I. (2013) · Inorganica Chimica Acta · doi:10.1016/j.ica.2013.07.043 · Cited by 4

Systems Based on Calixarenes as the Basis for the Creation of Catalysts and Nanocontainers

Stoikov, I. I., Yakimova, L. S., Puplampu, J. B., & Vavilova, A. A. (2016) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-801713-5.00004-5 · Cited by 4

Winged-Cone Conformation in Hexa- p-tert -butylcalix[6]arene Driven by the Unusually Strong Guest Encapsulation

Martins, F. T., Oliveira, B. G. D. F., Sarotti, A. M., & de Fátima, A. (2017) · ACS Omega · doi:10.1021/acsomega.7b00900 · Cited by 4

Formation of octaalkylated rctt tetranaphthyl-resorcinarene derivatives containing biologically active components

Glushko, V. V., Serkova, O. S., & Maslennikova, V. I. (2019) · Tetrahedron Letters · doi:10.1016/j.tetlet.2019.151418 · Cited by 4

Preparation and in vitro bioactivity evaluation of N-heterocyclic-linked dihomooxacalix[4]arene derivatives

An, L., Liu, J., Peng, X.-N., Zheng, Y., Wang, C., & Huang, T. (2019) · RSC Advances · doi:10.1039/c9ra06876g · Cited by 4

Self-assembly of calix[4]arene amine derivatives

O'Toole, L., McGinley, J., & Creaven, B. S. (2013) · Tetrahedron · doi:10.1016/j.tet.2013.06.103 · Cited by 4

A Hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene-Based Ditopic Receptor for Alkylammonium Ions Controlled by Ag+ Ions

Jiang, X., Ikejiri, Y., Wu, C., Rahman, S., Georghiou, P. E., Zeng, X., Elsegood, M. R. J., Redshaw, C., Teat, S. J., & Yamato, T. (2018) · Molecules · doi:10.3390/molecules23020467 · Cited by 4

Identification of Potential Drug Targets of Calix[4]arene by Reverse Docking

Giugliano, G., Gajo, M., Marforio, T. D., Zerbetto, F., Mattioli, E. J., & Calvaresi, M. (2024) · Chemistry - A European Journal · doi:10.1002/chem.202400871 · Cited by 3

Large glucosylthioureidocalixarenes: selective hosts for mono- and bisphosphonates

Torvinen, M., Kalenius, E., Sansone, F., Casnati, A., Turhanen, P. A., & Jänis, J. (2012) · Supramolecular chemistry · doi:10.1080/10610278.2011.643797 · Cited by 3

Biomacromolecule Recognition by Calixarene Macrocycles

Baldini, L., Casnati, A., & Sansone, F. (2016) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.12545-4 · Cited by 3

Supramolecular Control on the Optical Properties of a Dye‐Polyelectrolyte Assembly

Awasthi, A. A., Pandey, S. P., & Singh, P. K. (2021) · ChemPhysChem · doi:10.1002/cphc.202100092 · Cited by 3

Multi‐stimuli‐responsive Polymers Based on Calix[4]arenes and Dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6‐ethers

Wiktorowicz, S., Tenhu, H. J., & Aseyev, V. O. (2018) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119157830.ch6 · Cited by 3

Mechanically Activated Luminescence in Polyurethanes Incorporating Calixarene Mechanophores

Visieri, L., Casnati, A., Baldini, L., & Berrocal, J. A. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie International Edition · doi:10.1002/anie.9927716 · Cited by 2

Calixarene Ligands for Biomacromolecule Recognition

Casnati, A., & Sansone, F. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.10827-3 · Cited by 2

Anion influence on extraction and transport of amino acid methyl esters by functionalised calix[4]arene

Mutihac, L., Enache, I. V., Diacu, E., Mutihac, R., & Vicens, J. (2014) · Supramolecular chemistry · doi:10.1080/10610278.2013.863315 · Cited by 2

Membrane activity of 3-hydroxyglutarate diesters

Genge, K., Moszynski, J. M., Thompson, M., & Fyles, T. M. (2011) · Supramolecular chemistry · doi:10.1080/10610278.2011.622382 · Cited by 2

Calix[n]arenes and Nucleic Acids

Peters, M. S., & Schrader, T. H. (2016) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-31867-7_24 · Cited by 2

Phosphorylation of Oxyethylated Calix[4]resorcinols with Phosphorous Acid Amides

Гибадуллина, Э. М., Kayupov, A. R., Pudovik, M. A., & Burilov, A. R. (2018) · Russian Journal of General Chemistry · doi:10.1134/s1070363218010255 · Cited by 2

Rational Synthesis for All All‐Homocalixarenes

Predeus, A. V., Gopalsamuthiram, V., Staples, R. J., & Wulff, W. D. (2012) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.201206785 · Cited by 2

Introduction: The Concept of Biomimicry and Bioinspiration in Chemistry

Hanks, T. W., & Swiegers, G. F. (2012) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118310083.ch1 · Cited by 2

Six‐Cyclic Crown Ether‐Type Pillar[5]Arene: Enhanced Binding Ability to Bispyridinium Derivatives

Wu, H.-L., Zhang, M.-Y., Zhou, T., Zhang, L., Qi, Q.-Y., Yang, G., Yang, B., & Li, Z. (2024) · Chemistry - An Asian Journal · doi:10.1002/asia.202400554 · Cited by 1

Digital design and discovery of biological metal–organic frameworks for gas signaling

Yue, Y., Palakkal, A. S., Mohamed, S. A., & Jiang, J. (2025) · Digital Discovery · doi:10.1039/d5dd00213c · Cited by 1

Synthesis and organocatalytical evaluation of optically pure inherently chiral calix[4]arene phosphoric acids

Karpus, A. O., Yesypenko, O. A., Daran, J., Voïtenko, Z., Manoury, É., & Kаlchеnkо, V. I. (2024) · Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry · doi:10.1007/s10847-024-01267-9 · Cited by 1

An Improved Process for the Preparation of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene: from Laboratory-scale Synthesis to Scale-up Development

Fat'yanova, A. A., Gusak, A. S., Трофимова, О. А., & Прохорова, П. Е. (2016) · Chimica Techno Acta · doi:10.15826/chimtech.2016.3.2.010 · Cited by 1

Guest-driven unusual conformations in two calix[6]arene solvates and a new calix[8]arene

Martins, F. T., Maia, A. F. D. S., dos Santos, F. M., Alvarenga, M. E., Ribeiro, L., Neto, L. D. S., & de Fátima, Â. (2018) · Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials · doi:10.1515/zkri-2017-2110 · Cited by 1

Study of the complexation of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC and molecular modelling

Kalchenko, O. I., Cherenok, S. О., Solovyov, A., & Kаlchеnkо, V. I. (2013) · Supramolecular chemistry · doi:10.1080/10610278.2013.844817

Complexation of Biomedically Important Organic Compounds

Schneider, H. (2013) · Royal Society of Chemistry eBooks · doi:10.1039/9781849737821-00068

Multivalent Calixarenes for the Targeting of Biomacromolecules

Sansone, F., & Casnati, A. (2017) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781119143505.ch11

Solid-state assembly of 4,4’-bipyiridine and proximal p-tert-butylcalix[4]dihydroquinone units

Tedesco, C., Erra, L., Gaeta, C., & Neri, P. (2017) · Supramolecular chemistry · doi:10.1080/10610278.2017.1413244

Functionalized Calixarenes Drug-Sensing Receptor: A Review

Bhatt, K. (2018) · Medicinal & Analytical Chemistry International · doi:10.23880/macij-16000115

Self‐Inclusion Complexation of Electron‐Accepting Guest into Electron‐Donating Cyclic Host by Photoexcitation

Wada, K., Nagata, Y., Cui, L., Ono, T., Akine, S., Ohtani, S., Kato, K., Fa, S., & Ogoshi, T. (2024) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.202404409

Mechanically Activated Luminescence in Polyurethanes Incorporating Calixarene Mechanophores

Visieri, L., Casnati, A., Baldini, L., & Berrocal, J. A. (2026) · Angewandte Chemie · doi:10.1002/ange.9927716

Comparative computational and thermodynamic study of cation complexation by tetra- O -2-oxopropyl-substituted calix[4]arene atropisomers

Modrušan, M., Borovec, J., Usenik, A., Horvat, G., Požar, J., Hrenar, T., & Tomišić, V. (2026) · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics · doi:10.1039/d6cp01556e

Intrinsic Calix[6]arene Fluorescence for Quantitative Characterization of Group I and Group II Metal Cation Complexation

Usenik, A., Sunjka, F., Gradečak, K. K., Klemen, L., Leko, K., Cindro, N., Horvat, G., Piantanida, I., & Tomišić, V. (2026) · Analytica—A Journal of Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Analysis · doi:10.3390/analytica7040072

Configurations, structural correlation and thermodynamic reversal of p -sulfonatocalix[4]arene/protonated amino acid non-covalent complexes in solution and in the gas phase

Oh, Y., Jang, H.-Y., Yoon, S. B., Kang, E. J., Oh, H. B., & Lee, S. (2026) · New Journal of Chemistry · doi:10.1039/d6nj03353a

Moulding calixarenes for biomacromolecule targeting

Giuliani, M., Morbioli, I., Sansone, F., & Casnati, A. (2015) · Chemical Communications · doi:10.1039/c5cc05204a · Cited by 143

Anion Receptors Based on Calixarenes

Lhoták, P. (2005) · Topics in current chemistry · doi:10.1007/b101162 · Cited by 109

Calixarene Ligands for Biomacromolecule Recognition

Casnati, A., & Sansone, F. (2015) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-409547-2.10827-3 · Cited by 2

Bio-inspired calixarene based molecular receptors

Munjal, P. (2016)

Progress in Molecular Recognition of Functionalized Calixarene as Synthetic Receptors

Chen, S. (1999) · Chinese Journal of Organic Chemistry