Supramolecular Concepts and Design

Control over supramolecular isomers and polymorphs lies at the very heart of the concept of crystal engineering (i.e. design of solids). However, there is presently very little understanding concerning even the existence of supramolecular isomers, never mind how to control them. 

The examples represented here have demonstrated our increasing ability to design and to manipulate ever larger supramolecular systems and merge concepts from supramolecular and polymer chemistry. Yet we are still far Irom approaching the perfection and versatility and, most important, the functionality of biomolecules and their superstructures. Like in biology, macromolecules and the competition between macromolecular order and disorder will play a dominant role in the preparation of functional molecular devices and nanoscopic objects. 

In order to establish how far this relatively simple modular supramolecular concept can be extended, we sought to design ternary supermolecules with predictable connectivity and stoichiometry [142], Scheme 2.5.21. 

---