Crystal engineering molecular recognition

Keywords Crystal engineering. Molecular recognition. Hydrogen bonding. Tapes, Sheets. 

The exploitation of the reactivity of molecular crystals lies close to the origins of crystal engineering and is at the heart of the pioneering work of Schmidt [47a]. The idea is that of organizing molecules in the solid state using the principles of molecular recognition and self-assembly. Successful results have been obtained with bimolecular reactions, particularly [2+2] photoreactivity and cyclisation [47b,c]. Another important area is that of host-guest chemistry. 

Finally, mastering secondary noncovalent interactions is important not only for supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering, but controlling these forces is fundamental in the context of an understanding of complex biological processes, particularly the principles and mechanisms of molecular recognition [1-3],... 

With the recognition that many substances may cocrystallize in a single continuous lattice structure, scientists have more recently initiated intense studies of the mixed molecular crystal systems that have become known as cocrystals [10]. This particular area of solid-state research has led pharmaceutical scientists into the areas of crystal engineering and assembly of appropriate supramolecular synthons, with particular emphasis on understanding the origins of the molecular self-assembly that takes place in the formation of cocrystal systems. 

Desiraju, Gautam R., Crystal Engineering and Molecular Recognition - Twin Facets of Supramolecular Chemistry, 2, 31. 

Table 20.1.1. Comparison of crystal engineering and molecular recognition...

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