Cyclodextrins, cyclic oligosaccharides commonly composed of six, seven or eight respectively D-glucopyranosyl units connected by α-1,4-glycosidic linkages, have the ability to form inclusion complexes with a wide range of substrates in aqueous solution for their particular structures. This property has led to their wide applications to different areas such as enzyme mimics and catalysis, especially as nanoreactors. The recent development of cyclodextrin and its derivatives used as nanoreactors is reviewed.

Key words: nanoreactor, organic reaction, micro reactor, selective catalysis, cyclodextrin