Supramolecular Chemistry: Basics and Molecular Interactions

This lecture introduces the fundamentals of supramolecular chemistry, covering cation and anion receptors, neutral molecule receptors, self-assembly processes, and molecular recognition. It explores the differences between organic and supramolecular synthesis, highlighting the importance of non-covalent bonds and weak chemical forces. The lecture delves into the concept of molecular machines, supramolecular catalysis, and the history of supramolecular chemistry. It also discusses the significance of hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, cation-π interactions, and T-π interactions in forming supramolecular structures.

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Related lectures (12)

Related concepts (57)

CH-424: Supramolecular chemistry

The course provides an introduction to supramolecular chemistry. In addition, current trends are discussed using recent publications in this area.

Molecular assembler

A molecular assembler, as defined by K. Eric Drexler, is a "proposed device able to guide chemical reactions by positioning reactive molecules with atomic precision". A molecular assembler is a kind of molecular machine. Some biological molecules such as ribosomes fit this definition. This is because they receive instructions from messenger RNA and then assemble specific sequences of amino acids to construct protein molecules. However, the term "molecular assembler" usually refers to theoretical human-made devices.

Molecular motor

Molecular motors are natural (biological) or artificial molecular machines that are the essential agents of movement in living organisms. In general terms, a motor is a device that consumes energy in one form and converts it into motion or mechanical work; for example, many protein-based molecular motors harness the chemical free energy released by the hydrolysis of ATP in order to perform mechanical work. In terms of energetic efficiency, this type of motor can be superior to currently available man-made motors.

Synthetic molecular motor

Synthetic molecular motors are molecular machines capable of continuous directional rotation under an energy input. Although the term "molecular motor" has traditionally referred to a naturally occurring protein that induces motion (via protein dynamics), some groups also use the term when referring to non-biological, non-peptide synthetic motors. Many chemists are pursuing the synthesis of such molecular motors. The basic requirements for a synthetic motor are repetitive 360° motion, the consumption of energy and unidirectional rotation.

Pi-interaction

In chemistry, π-effects or π-interactions are a type of non-covalent interaction that involves π systems. Just like in an electrostatic interaction where a region of negative charge interacts with a positive charge, the electron-rich π system can interact with a metal (cationic or neutral), an anion, another molecule and even another π system. Non-covalent interactions involving π systems are pivotal to biological events such as protein-ligand recognition.

Molecular propeller

Molecular propeller is a molecule that can propel fluids when rotated, due to its special shape that is designed in analogy to macroscopic propellers: it has several molecular-scale blades attached at a certain pitch angle around the circumference of a shaft, aligned along the rotational axis. The molecular propellers designed in the group of Prof. Petr Král from the University of Illinois at Chicago have their blades formed by planar aromatic molecules and the shaft is a carbon nanotube.

Self-organized growth at surfaces PHYS-407: Frontiers in nanosciences

Explores self-organized growth at surfaces and covers instrumentation, destructive exposure, manipulation with SIM, nanostructures, and thin film growth.

Supramolecular Chemistry: Self-Assembly of Heterobimetallic Systems CH-424: Supramolecular chemistry

Explores the self-assembly of heterobimetallic systems to create robust duplexes in water, emphasizing the importance of synthetic H-bond systems for materials fabrication.

Molecular machines: Nature's nanotechnology MICRO-470: Scaling laws in micro & nanosystems

Explores nature's molecular machines, such as ATP synthase and DNA origami.

Supramolecular Chemistry: Molecular Machines and Motors CH-424: Supramolecular chemistry

Delves into supramolecular chemistry, focusing on molecular machines and motors, exploring design principles and experimental support for controlled motion.

ATP Synthase: Molecular Machine and Energy Production PHYS-468: Physics of life

Explores the F-type ATP Synthase, a molecular machine crucial for energy production in cells, covering its structure, function, and energy production mechanisms.