SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY - WHAT IS THIS

Unfortunately, it also covers too vast an area. It does not exclude crystals and solutions mentioned above. Moreover, it also includes polymers, in which nonbonded interactions play such an important role, into the realm of supramolecular chemistry. 

Science is a complicated matter and any definition of a research area is an oversimplification. This is especially true for a new domain in statu nascendi such as supramolecular chemistry [9]. However, a recent development in 

Cyclobutadiene 4 is extremely unstable under normal conditions. However, it was obtained and kept at room temperature for several months inside 5 by Cram and coworkers [5], who called the latter molecule a molecular flask. 

Thus there is an essential difference between classical homogeneous reactions in organic chemistry and reactions such as those in which catenanes and knots are formed. In the latter, there are heterogeneities on the micro scale. Thus supramolecular chemistry lies also in the border area between classical organic chemistry and surface chemistry. 

Nitroglycerine 10a is both a drug and an explosive. Its inclusion into the cavity of p-cyclodextrin, p-CD, 11 prevents its decomposition and enhances its bioavailability [14]. The complex of 10a with 11 is marketed under the name Nitropen as a coronary dilator sublingual tablets by Nippon Kayaku company in Japan. 

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Therefore in inorganic supramolecular chemistry there is a new meaning for the term crystal field (originally developed for metal ions doped in crystal lattices). The supramolecular crystal field is the total influence of the crystal surroundings on a target molecule the magnitude, symmetry and anisotropy of the crystal field are important. We must continually ask to what extent the structures of molecular inorganic compounds are different in solution phases and crystal lattices, and seek quantification of this crystal field and its influences. 

The overwhelming number of dendrimer-related reports flooding the chemical arena, particularly, in the last five years, has made it a difficult task to summarize all important developments in one treatise. The restricted scope of this chapter - supramolecular chemistry within dendritic materials - denotes the utilitarian character to the unique infrastructure of these materials. Surface coatings and attachments to molecular spheres should possess a common theme respective of their frameworks, and thus there should be less differentiation between the mode of construction but rather what is the surface functionality. 

As in all active areas of research, there are several approaches to the development of nanotechnology. One approach involves techniques similar to sculpting, where one starts with a large piece of material and cuts away what is not needed. The problem is that a lot of the material winds up wasted on the cutting room floor. An alternative approach, described in the following section, starts at the bottom or lower end of the scale and builds up from there. An important feature of this approach is the bonding of molecules to make even larger, more complex molecules—supramolecular chemistry. 

REVIEW This is a strong second volume for what promises to be an important series in the field of supramolecular chemistry. The quality of the graphics is somewhat inconsistent among the chapters, reflecting direct reproduction of the authors variable originals However, this does not detract from an excellent compilation of studies from five laboratories with very diverse approaches to supramolecular chemistry. ... 

From the early days of supramolecular chemistry the field has been associated with possible applications. This is not surprising as the design of new molecules, and later of assemblies of molecules, is often function driven. Now, after three decades of supramolecular chemistiy, it is interesting to reflect on what has really been achieved in terms of applications. This is the field that 1 have defined as Supramolecular Technology. 

Consequently, a more fundamental question arises Why should one apply mass spectrometry to supramolecules What is the motivation and what is the added value of using this method together with other techniques that are maybe more commonly used in supramolecular chemistry The present chapter elaborates on the hypothesis that the potential of mass spectrometry goes far beyond the analytical characterization of complexes with respect to their exact masses, charge states, stoichiometries, or purity. In fact, the information that can be gained is complementary to other methods such as NMR spectroscopy and includes structural aspects, reactivity, and even thermochemistry. Examination of supramolecules by mass spectrometry involves their transfer into the high vacuum of the mass spectrometer and thus implies that isolated particles are investigated. There is no... 

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