Supramolecular Assembly and Binding in Aqueous Solution: Useful Tips Regarding the Hofmeister and Hydrophobic Effects

The self‐assembly of structurally discrete entities, and supramolecular chemistry in general, continues to expand into the aqueous realm. To do so, however, requires a firm understanding of the properties of aqueous solution, and how these “change the rules” for binding and assembly relative to organic solvents. In this mini‐review we highlight the state‐of‐the‐art understanding of the supramolecular properties of water, and how these influence the design of hosts and self‐assembling systems.