A @M03976@ comprising a monocyclic ligand assembly that contains three or more @B00649@ held together by covalent bonds and capable of binding a @G02711@ in a central (or nearly central) position. The @A00138@ formed are sometimes known as 'coronates'. The best known members of this group are macrocyclic polyethers, such as '18-crown-6', containing several repeating units –CR2–CR2O– (where R is most commonly H), and known as crown @E02221@.
See also:
host (in biotechnology)
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1101 [Terms] [Paper]