Macromolecular structures recent research

In this chapter, we intend to revise the most recent contributions to the aforementioned aspects of Pc research. We will describe how the versatile chemistry of Pcs makes possible the preparation of monofunctionalized macrocycles, mainly aimed at preparing multicomponent systems through reaction with other electroactive moieties. The controlled organization of Pcs in solution and the incorporation of these chromophores into macromolecular structures, as well as the preparation of mono-, bi-, and three-dimensional nanostructures, will be the object of study. Finally, some examples of Pc-based devices (solar cells, sensors, transistors, etc.) will also be given as an example of the real applicability of these molecules. 

Another approach leading to non-linear macromolecular structures incorporating DA adducts has been put forward recently in the form of thermally reversible dendrimers [64, 70]. This interesting piece of research describes aromatic ether architectures joined by DA adducts and reaching up to the third generation. The backward mechanism, based on the retro-DA reaction progressively reduced this structure to lower generations. 

Until recently, research work on the structure, properties and applications of proteins were mainly considered within the scientific field of Food Science. To reach a better understanding of properties and to define the potential applications of material proteins, it is essential to compare their structural features with those of chemically synthesised organic polymers used to produce plastic materials. Novel research on nonfood uses of agricultural resources, and especially on material proteins , has led to the application of Polymer Science concepts and tools to investigate the structure-function relationships of these macromolecular organisations. This involves ... 

Polymers exhibit a range of architectures and unique properties, the study of which represents a major core area of polymer science. Although this book assumes that the reader is familiar with some of the basic concepts of polymer science, such as the structures of common macromolecular materials (polystyrene, polyisoprene, etc.), additional knowledge is certainly desirable for an appreciation of much of the research described and the challenges for the future. In this section, we briefly cover some key points for the benefit of readers unfamiliar with the areas that are relevant to the discussions in subsequent chapters. For detailed background material the reader is referred to the many excellent introductory and advanced books on polymer sdence and the recent literature dted in this section ]7, 37-42]. 

For metal-containing polymers it is important to understand also their molecular arrangements primary structure (composition of a MMC) secondary structure (steric orientation of a MMC unit) tertiary structure (orientation of the whole MMC) quarternary structure (interaction of different MMCs). The more detailed knowledge about biological macromolecular metal complexes led in the recent years to an intensified research. The activities in this field are parts of lUPAC conferences on Macromolecule-Metal Complexes (MMC I-VII [2]), and are summarized in some monographs and several reviews [3 5]. 

---