Capsules 39, thermodynamically controlled

Self-assembly is a thermodynamically controlled process. The formation of the capsules and the exchange of guest molecules proceed within seconds to hours, sometimes days, but finally, an equilibrium is reached which is governed by a finely balanced interplay of enthalpy and entropy. A... 

Kinetically and thermodynamically controlled syntheses of covalent molecular capsules... 

Fig. 20 Thermodynamically controlled synthesis of capsules 39 and 40132 note that a molecule of ethane was found to reside inside 40. The favorable antiperiplanar conformation about the central C-C bond in a diimine linkage of 40 is shown. (For color version of this figure, the reader is referred to the web version of this book.)...

The efficiency of these hemicarcerand and polycavitand nanocapsule syntheses approaches those of self-assembly processes using hydrogen bonding or metal-ligand coordination and results from selection of the least strained capsule through the thermodynamic control and reversibility of the system. 

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