The halogen bond is a powerful non-covalent interaction between the electron deficient sigma-hole region of a group 17 halogen element covalently bonded to electron withdrawing groups, and a Lewis base. The use of halogen bonding (XB) in anion recognition chemistry has rapidly expanded in recent decades, with a diverse range of host systems available for the selective complexation and detection of various anionic guest species in solution. These XB receptors have contrasting, and often superior anion binding affinities and properties when compared to their analogous hydrogen bonding receptors. This review summarises the development of these host systems to date, by first examining the various neutral and cationic XB donor motifs commonly employed and their integration into supramolecular acyclic and macrocyclic receptors. This is followed by a discussion of XB interactions in anion-binding mechanically interlocked hosts, which have proved to be effective receptors for a diverse range of anions in competitive aqueous solvent media, including biologically relevant chiral anions and dicarboxylates.

卤素键是与吸电子基团共价键合的第17族卤素元素的缺电子sigma-hole区和路易斯碱之间的强力非共价相互作用。近几十年来，在阴离子识别化学中卤素键（XB）的使用已迅速扩展，可使用多种宿主系统来选择性络合和检测溶液中的各种阴离子客体。与它们的类似氢键受体相比，这些XB受体具有对比，并且通常具有优越的阴离子结合亲和力和特性。这篇综述通过首先检查各种常用的中性和阳离子XB供体基序及其整合到超分子无环和大环受体中来总结了迄今为止这些宿主系统的发展。