Applications, molecular electronics supramolecular

Noncovalent interactions play a special role in synthetic procedures used to assemble various types of supramolecular species. These syntheses rely on the stabilization provided by non-covalent interactions between recognition sites incorporated within precursors. Various types of non-covalent interactions can be used as a recognition motif utilized to guide the synthesis.Targeted synthesis of macro- and supramolecular structures of various sizes, shapes, and functionality has now become possible. Supramolecular chemistry offers incredible applications in various fields such as medicinal chemistry (drug delivery systems),host-guest chemistry,catalysis,and molecular electronics. ... 

Although, from a purely chemical point of view, learning how to create these complicated supramolecular structures has its own value, there are plenty of more practical reasons to investigate this chemistry. In the short term, these include catalysis and sensor applications, and in the long term, molecular electronics and molecular machines. With perhaps the exception of catalysis, all these applications will require some sort of signal transduction to allow for communication with the supramolecular device. This, of course, is one of the main reasons that electrochemistry is useful for supramolecular chemistry. Electron transfer provides a well-understood and very sensitive method to both communicate with supramolecular assemblies and control their structure.8... 

Transition metal polypyridine complexes are highly redox-active, both in their electronic ground- and excited states. Their electron transfer reactivity and properties can be fine-tuned by variations in the molecular structure and composition. They are excellent candidates for applications in redox-catalysis and photocatalysis, conversion of light energy into chemical or electrical energy, as sensors, active components of functional supramolecular assemblies, and molecular electronic and photonic devices. 

Astruc, D. Boisselier, E. Ornelas, C. Dendrimers designed for functions From physical, photophysical, and supramolecular properties to applications in sensing, catalysis, molecular electronics, photonics, and nanomedicine. Chem. Rev. 2010,110 (4), 1857-1959. 

A very recent research line is the initiation and investigation of chemical reactions at surfaces for the fabrication of oligomeric/polymeric nanostructures from molecular monomers and thereby, going from supramolecular to covalent interactions. The prospect of obtaining molecular structures with improved mechanical stability as well as intermolecular charge transport by interlinking the monomeric units is very exciting. Moreover, there are clear indications that this research field will pave the way toward the realization of robust and functional molecular nanostructures for future applications in (molecular) electronics, sensors, catalysis, and so on. 

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