Conformationally preorganised hosts for anions using norbornane and fused [n]polynorbornane frameworks

Norbornane and fused [n]polynorbornane frameworks are readily synthesised, can be tailored to a variety of predictable geometries and can be functionalised regiospecifically. As such, these highly preorganised scaffolds offer the supramolecular chemist an excellent starting point when designing hosts for specific guests. This feature article will highlight the evolution of our research from relatively simple norbornane based anion receptors to more sophisticated tetrathioureido functionalised fused [n]polynorbornane hosts.