Recent advances in the synthesis and application of N-heterocyclic carbene-based molecular cages

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based cages have emerged as a prominent and dynamic research area within the research field of chemistry. Leveraging the distinctive electronic and steric properties of NHC ligands, the design, synthesis, and application of these corresponding cages have garnered substantial scholarly interest. In recent years, we have witnessed the successful fabrication of diverse NHC-based cages through a range of synthetic methodologies, which hold significant potential for applications in molecular recognition and catalysis. In this review, we delve into the foundational synthetic strategies that underlie the creation of NHC-based cages, employing approaches encompassing metal–NHC chelation, coordination assembly, and covalent bonding. Additionally, we compile the diverse applications of these cages within catalytic processes and molecular recognition. Lastly, we shed light on the current limitations of synthesis and outline future trends in the development of NHC-based cages.