Supramolecular chemistry

Supramolecular chemistry studies molecular assemblies held together by noncovalent interactions. These assemblies can form, adapt, and perform functions without changing the covalent structure of their components.

Host–guest chemistry: The study of complexes in which a host molecule binds a guest within a cavity or binding site. Host–guest binding is a central model for molecular recognition in supramolecular systems.
Noncovalent interaction: An interaction between atoms or molecules that does not involve forming a covalent bond. These interactions are the forces that hold supramolecular assemblies together.
Molecular machine: A molecule or molecular assembly that performs controlled motion in response to an input. Noncovalent interactions coordinate motion in many artificial molecular machines.
Crown ether: A cyclic polyether that can bind metal cations within its central cavity. Crown ethers showed how a synthetic host can selectively recognize particular ions.
Covalent bond: A chemical bond formed when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. Unlike covalent bonds, the interactions central to this field can often break and reform reversibly.
Molecular recognition: The selective association of molecules through complementary shape, charge, and interaction patterns. Selective recognition lets components assemble with particular partners rather than indiscriminately.
Van der Waals force: A set of weak intermolecular attractions arising from permanent or induced electric dipoles. Even individually weak dispersion forces can stabilize closely packed molecular structures.
Catenane: A mechanically interlocked molecule composed of two or more interlinked rings. Catenanes demonstrate how templated assembly can create structures held together by topology.
Cryptand: A three-dimensional, multidentate host molecule that can enclose a guest ion. Cryptands extend ion recognition from an open ring to a surrounding molecular cage.
Covalent chemistry: The study and use of chemical transformations that form or break covalent bonds. It builds molecular frameworks directly, whereas supramolecular chemistry organizes existing components through association.

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