Molecular exoreceptors

From Endoreceptors to Exoreceptors. Molecular Recognition at Surfaces... 

The design of exoreceptors requires a means of generating defined external molecular shapes. This may be achieved by the stepwise synthesis of molecular architectures via covalent bond formation (covalent or molecular morphogenesis). The polymerization of oriented systems in molecular assemblies may also serve this end [7.10]. 

As cheaper and readily accessible alternatives to regular dendrimers, hyper-branched polymers are increasingly being used as catalyst platforms. Rainer Haag has been one of the leaders in this field. He and C. Hajji provide an overview of an area for which commercial applications are most likely. Finally, all of these catalysis-related topics are complemented by a review of metallo-dendritic exoreceptors for the redox recognition of oxo-anions and halides, written by D. Astruc. This field offers new perspectives both for catalytic transformation and the development of molecular sensors. 

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