TY - JOUR AU - von Delius, Max TI - Small Is (also) Beautiful: Dynamic Covalent Self-Assembly of Cryptates SN - 0936-5214 SN - 1437-2096 PY - 2016 JO - Synlett JF - Synlett LA - EN VL - 27 IS - 02 SP - 177 EP - 180 ET - 2015/09/03 DA - 2016/01/12 KW - dynamic covalent chemistry KW - orthoesters KW - cryptands KW - supramolecular chemistry KW - self-assembly KW - cage compounds KW - template synthesis KW - host–guest chemistry AB - Cryptands can be seen as the smallest three-dimensional molecular cages still capable of accommodating (ionic) guests. We have recently realized the first dynamic covalent self-assembly of a monometallic cryptate, whose template synthesis and unique structure crucially rest on orthoester bridgeheads [Nat. Commun. 2015, 6, 7129]. In this Synpacts article, I discuss selected aspects that led to this discovery and I attempt to put the study into the context of recent trends in the self-assembly of larger molecular cages.1 Introduction2 Dynamic Covalent Self-Assembly of Orthoester Cryptates3 From Covalent to Metallosupramolecular to Dynamic Covalent Synthesis4 Orthoester Cryptates as Tiny Self-Assembled Cages5 Conclusions PB - © Georg Thieme Verlag DO - 10.1055/s-0035-1560221 UR - http://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0035-1560221 ER -