Supramolecular synthesis, definition

Halogen Bonding, p. 628 Macrocycle Synthesis, p. 830 Supramolecular Chemistry Definition, p. 

The concept of tecton can be better understood if contrasted with the concept of supramolecular synthon. Paraphrasing Corey s historic definition of synthon, Desiraju defined that a supramolecular synthon is a stmc-tural unit vvdthin a supermolecule that can be formed or assembled by known or conceivable synthetic operations involving intermolecular interactions. The supramolecular synthon concept is backwardly oriented (i.e., is useful in supramolecular retrosynthesis) and focuses on the part of a supermolecule that is formed or can be formed through an intermolecular interaction. The tecton concept is forwardly oriented (i.e., is useful in supramolecular synthesis) and focuses on a molecule that predictably gives supermolecules, thanks to its tailored structure and robust binding sites. 

In the context of organic synthesis, the term synthon was introduced by Corey in 1967 to refer to structural units within molecules which can be formed and/or assembled by known or conceivable synthetic operations. This general definition was modified by Desiraju for supramolecular chemistry Supramolecular synthons are structural units within supermolcules which can be formed and/or... 

Liu S, Gibb BC (2008) High-definition self-assemblies driven by the hydrophobic effect synthesis and properties of a supramolecular nanocapsule. Chem Commun 3709-3716... 

Ballester, Vidal-Ferran, and van Leeuwen evaluate concepts and strategies in the field of supramolecular catalysis. The authors describe what characterizes supramolecular catalysts, formulating a definition on the basis of the nature of interactions between catalyst and substrate or between building blocks of the catalyst. Examples are cited that demonstrate how supramolecular catalysts are superior to simple molecular catalysts in a broad range of reactions. Ballester et al. consider supramolecular catalysts as enzyme models, guided in their comparisons by the various mechanisms by which enzymes accelerate chemical transformations such as the binding of a reactant next to the catalytic site, the simultaneous complexation of two reactants, or desolvation. Addressing the synthesis of supramolecular catalysts, the authors describe how... 

Fig. 1 Definitions and overall scheme of supramolecular events (a) chemical host synthesis and formation of a supramolecule (host-guest inclusion compound) (b) endo- and exosupramolecular receptor-substrate (host-guest) chemistry and (c) formation of mono-and multimolecular inclusion compounds.

The supramolecular synthon concept combines the chemical elements of molecular recognition with the geometrical requirements of crystal packing. The seminal 1995 review paper of Desiraju introduced the formal Hterature definition of the supramolecular synthon, based on analogy with Corey s definition of synthons for covalent synthesis. The explicit link between eovalent synthesis and crystal engineering is stressed by this analogy, and co-erystal or... 

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