Supramolecular basic concepts

According to these basic concepts, molecular recognition implies complementary lock-and-key type fit between molecules. The lock is the molecular receptor and the key is the substrate that is recognised and selected to give a defined receptor—substrate complex, a coordination compound or a supermolecule. Hence molecular recognition is one of the three main pillars, fixation, coordination, and recognition, that lay foundation of what is now called supramolecular chemistry (8—11). 

Comparable extension has been given to the research on molecular recognition, catalysis and transport processes (Chapters 2-6) on molecular and supramolecular devices (Chapter 8) and self-processes (Chapter 9). This was done to emphasize the more recently developed topics, despite the much larger volume of work on the former areas that have been described in many instances in the literature. The outline of Chapters 1-7 follows that of earlier reviews. Chapters 8 and 9 bring together approaches from various directions. Chapter 10 places the basic concepts into a broader perspective and is intended to make the score decidedly open ended. 

The concept of supermolecular chemistry, chemistry of very large molecules, is also of great current interest and is relevant to both crystal engineering and supramolecular chemistry. When one considers the development of supermolecules , the 1990s will probably be regarded as the key time period in which the basic concepts were delineated and experimental results were forthcoming. Indeed, we have witnessed synthesis and characterization of the largest hydrocar-... 

Before going into detail with respect to the analytical methods that are applied in contemporary supramolecular chemistry, this brief introduction to some basic concepts and research topics within supramolecular chemistry is intended to provide the reader with some background. Of course, it is not possible to give a comprehensive overview. It is not even achievable to review the last 40 or so years of supramolecular research in a concise manner. For a more in-depth discussion, the reader is thus referred to some excellent text books on supramolecular chemistry [7]. 

Other photoisomerizable molecules including azobenzene-capped /1-cyclodex-trins, dendrimers, aza-crown and calixarene compounds have been reported [14,160,161] and, though they are not used for studying biomolecules, they open up new perspectives in the field of supramolecular chemistry and help to understand basic concepts that have been validated in biochemistry. 

It is important to have an understanding of both the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of axial coordination compoimds before attempting to construct a supramolecular assembly using these features. The simple reason is that if the mode of connectivity is badly chosen, the systems will not be stable in solution, and dissociation to yield the individual building blocks will be inevitable. The basic concepts are discussed in more detail in other chapters in this book therefore we will give only a brief overview. 

It is clear that the time is ripe for an Encyclopedia of Supramolecular Chemistry, presenting its basic concepts, its various objects, and processes as well as its relations to other areas of basic and applied science. It will be of great value to the many practitioners in the field as well as to those, perhaps even more numerous newcomers, who wish to get acquainted with it end may wish to join the family and become part of the adventure ... 

The principles and phenomena outlined within this introductory chapter are the basic concepts upon which supramolecular chemistry is based. A union of these phenomena can lead to intricate and complex designs that form the heart of the many facets of supramolecular chemistry. 

Supramolecular chemistry provides very different insights into chemical events, particularly at nano- and meso-scale levels. In addition, application of supramolecular chemistry to materials science has recently developed significantly to give a variety of highly functionalized sensors, molecular devices, and polymeric materials. An up-to-date survey of recent progress in this field. Synergy in Supramolecular Chemistry introduces basic concepts and examples of supramolecular chemistry in terms of cooperativity and synergy. 

This book is aimed at providing the newcomers of the field with an overview of the potential offered by the photophysical and photochemical techniques applied to supramolecular systems and nanoobjects. Indeed, it provides the basic concepts, without introducing too many technical and mathematical details, with the aid of self-explicative figures and sehemes, and discusses the methodology to correctly perform a photochemical experiment, as well as the most critical aspects of the laboratory application. It is of interest also to scientists already involved in the field because it offers technical and operative details useful in the laboratory, as well as references to current research, pioneering contributions, and review articles on specific aspects. 

Supramolecular chemistry has been described as chemistry beyond the molecule. Although a very broad statement, it does generally summarize the basic concept, which is the study of how molecules can interact and associate with each other to generate more complex structures with more sophisticated functions. The original supramolecular chemist is Mother Nature, who has created the greatest achievements in supramolecular chemistry. A good example of supramolecular chemistry in nature is viruses. You probably know viruses more for their ability to cause diseases, like the common cold. But if you take a closer look at a virus, what you see is one of the most spectacular examples of supramolecular chemistry. 

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