Macrocycles are often described as molecules and ions containing a ring of twelve or more atoms. Classical examples include the crown ethers, calixarenes, porphyrins, and cyclodextrins. Macrocycles describe a large, mature area of chemistry.[2]
IUPAC definition
Macrocycle: Cyclic macromolecule or a macromolecular cyclic portion of a macromolecule. Note 1: A cyclic macromolecule has no end-groups but may nevertheless be regarded as a chain.
Note 2: In the literature, the term macrocycle is sometimes used for molecules of low relative molecular mass that would not be considered macromolecules.[3]
- ^ Hamilton-Miller, JM (1973). "Chemistry and Biology of the Polyene Macrolide Antibiotics". Bacteriological Reviews. 37 (2): 166–196. doi:10.1128/br.37.2.166-196.1973. PMC 413810. PMID 4578757.
- ^ Zhichang Liu; Siva Krishna Mohan Nalluria; J. Fraser Stoddart (2017). "Surveying macrocyclic chemistry: from flexible crown ethers to rigid cyclophanes". Chemical Society Reviews. 46 (9): 2459–2478. doi:10.1039/c7cs00185a. PMID 28462968.
- ^ R. G. Jones; J. Kahovec; R. Stepto; E. S. Wilks; M. Hess; T. Kitayama; W. V. Metanomski (2008). IUPAC. Compendium of Polymer Terminology and Nomenclature, IUPAC Recommendations 2008 (the "Purple Book") (PDF). RSC Publishing, Cambridge, UK.