Supramolecular chemistryfile:///home/pptfactory/temp/Pictures/sekalaiset%20kuvat/Supramolecular_Assembly_Lehn.jpg

Supramolecular chemistry

Can be described as kind of lego block chem-istry

Molecules as building blocks

Held together by weak interactions

Forming aggregates

Two categories

Host-guest chemistry and self-assembly.

The difference is in the shape and size of

the molecules.

Host-guest chemistry

In host-guest chemistry the host is a bigger molecule that binds the smaller molecule with lock and key principle

The host is like a lock in witch the key fits perfectly In biology, etnsymes are host that bind the substrates

(guests).

Self-assembly

Interaction between molecules is called self-assembly, when there is no difference in the size of the molecules

One example of self-as-sembly is DNA, where two molecule strands bind to each other with hydrogen bonds

Desing and synthesis

Chemists desings and makes molecules that can act as a host to specific guest molecules

Inspiration for synthetic supramolecules often come from Nature.

Selective and complementary molecules To undestand biological systems, as reseptors, in

molecular recocnition, parts in nanotechnology, in medicines etc.