In the era of application-oriented
research, laboratory
to real
life translation is highly regarded and in great demand. This could
mean that molecular science developed for sensing and detecting a
variety of chemical species awaits conversion to devices. In that,
the molecular logic gates are the most promising ones where the information
storage and/or data processing can be easily carried out in terms
of molecular inputs and electrical response outputs. This would facilitate
the simultaneous execution of a diverse array of molecular sensing
functions. The recent progress in molecular logic gates based on supramolecular
optical receptors, in particular, fluorescent ones, such as calixarene
derivatives and carbohydrate conjugates will have a transformative
impact on molecular devices and will encourage this science to yield
technology. Therefore, this review provides a critical evaluation
of recent publications on molecular logic gates based on the derivatives
of calixarenes and glyco-conjugates, including several from our own
research group, with the view that the corresponding applications
are a beneficiary in laboratory-to-device translation. In addition,
this review is also expected to assist young researchers in planning
their research focus in the broad area of supramolecular-based logic
gates targeting some specific applications.