Supramolecular chemistry imaging

The marrying of the fields of coordination chemistry, chemotherapy and enzymology was finally spurred on by the advent of modern instrumental and synthetic techniques, and not least by the dramatic developments in organic synthesis, which was born as a discipline in itself in 1828 with Friedrich Wohler s synthesis of urea from ammonium cyanate. In the course of the development of supramolecular chemistry, enormous progress has been made on quantifying the details of receptors with an affinity for guests which fit inside them. The lock and key image especially has suffered... 

Supramolecular Chemistry - From the Lock-and-Key Image to the Information Paradigm, 1, 307. 

Applying the principles of supramolecular chemistry to imaging, particularly with respect to molecular recognition by a designed host molecule, it is possible to generate much more sophisticated diagnostic agents. 

Supramolecular chemistry is now at the forefront of clinical practice. By linking lanthanide metal-macrocyclic complexes to tissue selective receptors the use of magnetic resonance imaging has become far more useful and widespread. This technique, which relies on the receptor-spacer-reporter motif, has become one of the most powerful medical diagnostics tools available in hospitals worldwide. 

Figure 10.82 (a) Electron microscope images of materials formed by PLP + ULU (right-handed helix), (b) PDP + UDU (left-handed) and (c) PMP -I- UMU (nonhelical), (d) Schematic representation of the model for the triple-helical organisation of three self-assembled homochiral polymer strands (PTP, UTU)n (T = L or d not m). PU hydrogen-bonded pairs on the same strand are represented by circles of the same shading. Alkyl chains stick ont of the side of the cylinder. (Reproduced with permission from J.-M. Lehn, Supramolecular Chemistry, VCH Weinheim, 1995.)... 

Lehn J-M (1994) Perspectives in supramolecular chemistry from the lock-and-key image to the information paradigm. In Behr JP (ed) Perspectives in supramolecular chemistry, vol 1. The lock-and-key principle. The state of the art - 100 years on. Wiley, Chichester, p 307... 

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