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Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
Research Guide
What is Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes?
Supramolecular chemistry and complexes is the chemistry of the intermolecular bond, involving the structures and functions of entities formed by association of two or more chemical species through non-covalent interactions such as self-assembly, molecular recognition, and host-guest binding.
This field encompasses 34,994 works with a focus on self-assembly, molecular recognition, and design of artificial molecular machines. Key areas include host-guest interactions, coordination chemistry, cucurbiturils, dynamic covalent chemistry, and nanoscale devices. Citation leaders such as Lehn (1988) establish foundational principles of supermolecules and molecular devices.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Host-Guest Chemistry with Cucurbiturils
Researchers study binding affinities, selectivity, and dynamics of guests within pumpkin-shaped cucurbit[n]uril cavities for drug delivery and sensing applications. Structural characterization uses NMR, X-ray crystallography, and computational modeling.
Self-Assembly of Metal-Organic Frameworks
This sub-topic explores directional bonding and reticular design principles for crystalline porous MOFs with applications in gas storage and catalysis. Research optimizes ligand-metal interactions, topology prediction, and defect engineering.
Dynamic Covalent Chemistry in Supramolecular Systems
Studies investigate reversible reactions like imine exchange, disulfide formation, and Diels-Alder cycloadditions enabling adaptive networks and constitutional dynamic chemistry. Applications include self-healing materials and responsive polymers.
Molecular Machines and Motors
Researchers design autonomous and chemically fueled rotary/informational motors using catenanes, rotaxanes, and helicates, characterized by single-molecule fluorescence and ensemble kinetics. Focus areas include directionality control and work extraction.
Cyclodextrin Supramolecular Inclusion Complexes
This area examines hydrophobic guest encapsulation in cyclodextrin tori for pharmaceutical solubilization, stabilization, and controlled release formulations. Research employs phase solubility analysis, molecular modeling, and in vivo pharmacokinetics.
Why It Matters
Supramolecular chemistry enables construction of molecular machines and devices mimicking natural processes, as demonstrated by Balzani et al. (2000) in 'Artificial Molecular Machines,' which describes miniaturization of components for working devices through bottom-up assembly. Kay et al. (2006) in 'Synthetic Molecular Motors and Mechanical Machines' highlight controlled molecular-level motion for applications in catalysis and transport. Chakrabarty et al. (2011) in 'Supramolecular Coordination: Self-Assembly of Finite Two- and Three-Dimensional Ensembles' show self-assembly of coordination ensembles, impacting network solids and crystal engineering as in Moulton and Zaworotko (2001). These advances support development of metal-organic frameworks and luminogenic materials, with 34,994 papers documenting practical uses in recognition, information processing, and nanotechnology.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
'Supramolecular Chemistry—Scope and Perspectives Molecules, Supermolecules, and Molecular Devices (Nobel Lecture)' by Jean‐Marie Lehn (1988), as it provides foundational definitions of supermolecules, molecular recognition, and device perspectives essential for understanding the field.
Key Papers Explained
Lehn (1988) in 'Supramolecular Chemistry—Scope and Perspectives Molecules, Supermolecules, and Molecular Devices (Nobel Lecture)' introduces core concepts of intermolecular bonds and recognition, which Lehn (1990) in 'Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self‐Organization' extends to self-organization and processing. Moulton and Zaworotko (2001) in 'From Molecules to Crystal Engineering: Supramolecular Isomerism and Polymorphism in Network Solids' applies these to crystal networks, while Chakrabarty et al. (2011) in 'Supramolecular Coordination: Self-Assembly of Finite Two- and Three-Dimensional Ensembles' advances finite self-assembled structures. Balzani et al. (2000) and Kay et al. (2006) build on recognition for motors and machines.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Diercks and Yaghi (2017) in 'The atom, the molecule, and the covalent organic framework' highlight reticular synthesis of microporous frameworks, extending supramolecular design to covalent systems. Mei et al. (2014) in 'Aggregation‐Induced Emission: The Whole Is More Brilliant than the Parts' explore luminescent aggregates, pointing to optoelectronic frontiers.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | From Molecules to Crystal Engineering: Supramolecular Isomeri... | 2001 | Chemical Reviews | 6.3K | ✕ |
| 2 | Introduction and General Overview of Cyclodextrin Chemistry | 1998 | Chemical Reviews | 4.8K | ✕ |
| 3 | Supramolecular Chemistry—Scope and Perspectives Molecules, Sup... | 1988 | Angewandte Chemie Inte... | 3.7K | ✕ |
| 4 | Aggregation‐Induced Emission: The Whole Is More Brilliant than... | 2014 | Advanced Materials | 3.3K | ✕ |
| 5 | The atom, the molecule, and the covalent organic framework | 2017 | Science | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 6 | Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recogn... | 1990 | Angewandte Chemie Inte... | 3.0K | ✕ |
| 7 | Supramolecular Coordination: Self-Assembly of Finite Two- and ... | 2011 | Chemical Reviews | 2.9K | ✓ |
| 8 | Synthetic Molecular Motors and Mechanical Machines | 2006 | Angewandte Chemie Inte... | 2.6K | ✕ |
| 9 | Artificial Molecular Machines | 2000 | Angewandte Chemie Inte... | 2.5K | ✕ |
| 10 | The Cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril Family | 2005 | Angewandte Chemie Inte... | 2.4K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is supramolecular isomerism in network solids?
Supramolecular isomerism refers to different network structures from the same molecular building blocks due to varying connectivity. Moulton and Zaworotko (2001) in 'From Molecules to Crystal Engineering: Supramolecular Isomerism and Polymorphism in Network Solids' detail how this leads to polymorphism in crystal engineering. These isomers affect material properties in coordination networks.
How do cucurbiturils function in host-guest chemistry?
Cucurbit[n]urils are macrocyclic host molecules that bind guests through hydrophobic cavities and carbonyl portals. Lagona et al. (2005) in 'The Cucurbit[n]uril Family' describe their fundamental binding properties since CB[6] discovery in 1981. They enable selective molecular recognition in supramolecular assemblies.
What are artificial molecular machines?
Artificial molecular machines are synthetic systems performing controlled motion at the molecular scale. Balzani et al. (2000) in 'Artificial Molecular Machines' outline their construction via supramolecular interactions, contrasting top-down fabrication. Kay et al. (2006) in 'Synthetic Molecular Motors and Mechanical Machines' emphasize directed motion for functional devices.
What principles underlie molecular recognition in supermolecules?
Molecular recognition in supermolecules relies on complementary information in receptor-substrate pairs forming non-covalent bonds. Lehn (1988) in 'Supramolecular Chemistry—Scope and Perspectives Molecules, Supermolecules, and Molecular Devices (Nobel Lecture)' defines it as the basis for supermolecule functions. Lehn (1990) in 'Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self‐Organization' extends it to information processing and self-organization.
What is aggregation-induced emission?
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) occurs when luminogenic molecules are non-emissive in solution but luminescent in aggregates. Mei et al. (2014) in 'Aggregation‐Induced Emission: The Whole Is More Brilliant than the Parts' explain this photophysical phenomenon in poor solvents. It applies to supramolecular materials for sensing and optoelectronics.
How do cyclodextrins contribute to supramolecular chemistry?
Cyclodextrins are cyclic oligosaccharides forming host-guest inclusion complexes. Szejtli (1998) in 'Introduction and General Overview of Cyclodextrin Chemistry' provides a comprehensive review of their chemistry and applications. They facilitate molecular recognition and encapsulation in various systems.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can supramolecular self-assembly be programmed for predictable three-dimensional architectures beyond current coordination ensembles?
- ? What mechanisms enable efficient directional motility in synthetic molecular motors under external control?
- ? How do polymorphism and isomerism in network solids influence mechanical and electronic properties of supramolecular materials?
- ? Can molecular information processing in self-organizing supermolecules achieve computational functions comparable to biological systems?
- ? What covalent organic framework designs optimize porosity and stability for practical gas storage applications?
Recent Trends
The field maintains 34,994 works, with high-impact papers like Diercks and Yaghi in 'The atom, the molecule, and the covalent organic framework' (3140 citations) advancing covalent frameworks from supramolecular principles.
2017Mei et al. in 'Aggregation‐Induced Emission: The Whole Is More Brilliant than the Parts' (3268 citations) reflects growing interest in luminescent self-assemblies.
2014No recent preprints or news reported in the last 6-12 months.
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