Cyclodextrin vs. Cucurbituril — What's the Difference?

Cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of a macrocyclic ring of glucose subunits joined by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Cyclodextrins are produced from starch by enzymatic conversion.

Cucurbiturils are macrocyclic molecules made of glycoluril (=C4H2N4O2=) monomers linked by methylene bridges (–CH2–). The oxygen atoms are located along the edges of the band and are tilted inwards, forming a partly enclosed cavity.

(carbohydrate) Any of a class of cyclic oligosaccharides consisting of glucopyranose residues linked as in amylose; cycloamylose.

(organic compound) Any of a class of macrocyclic molecules consisting of glycoluril repeat units.