Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of molecules under equilibrium conditions into stable, structurally well-defined aggregates joined by noncovalent bonds. Molecular self-assembly is ubiquitous in biological systems and underlies the formation of a wide variety of complex biological structures. Understanding self-assembly and the associated noncovalent interactions that connect complementary interacting molecular surfaces in biological aggregates is a central concern in structural biochemistry. Self-assembly is also emerging as a new strategy in chemical synthesis, with the potential of generating nonbiological structures with dimensions of 1 to 10(2) nanometers (with molecular weights of 10(4) to 10(10) daltons). Structures in the upper part of this range of sizes are presently inaccessible through chemical synthesis, and the ability to prepare them would open a route to structures comparable in size (and perhaps complementary in function) to those that can be prepared by microlithography and other techniques of microfabrication.

Molecular self-assembly and nanochemistry: A chemical strategy for the synthesis of nanostructures

In the 21st century, soft materials will become more important as functional materials because of their dynamic nature. Although soft materials are not as highly durable as hard materials, such as metals, ceramics, and engineering plastics, they can respond well to stimuli and the environment. The introduction of order into soft materials induces new dynamic functions. Liquid crystals are ordered soft materials consisting of self-organized molecules and can potentially be used as new functional materials for electron, ion, or molecular transporting, sensory, catalytic, optical, and bio-active materials. For this functionalization, unconventional materials design is required. Herein, we describe new approaches to the functionalization of liquid crystals and show how the design of liquid crystals formed by supramolecular assembly and nano-segregation leads to the formation of a variety of new self-organized functional materials.

Functional liquid-crystalline assemblies: self-organized soft materials.

Hydrogen bonds are like human beings in the sense that they exhibit typical grouplike behavior. As an individual they are feeble, easy to break, and sometimes hard to detect. However, when acting together they become much stronger and lean on each other. This phenomenon, which in scientific terms is called cooperativity, is based on the fact that 1+1 is more than 2. By using this principle, chemists have developed a wide variety of chemically stable structures that are based on the reversible formation of multiple hydrogen bonds. More than 20 years of fundamental studies on these phenomena have gradually developed into a new discipline within the field of organic synthesis, and is nowadays called noncovalent synthesis. This review describes noncovalent synthesis based on the reversible formation of multiple hydrogen bonds. Starting with a thorough description of what the hydrogen bond really is, it guides the reader through a variety of bimolecular and higher order assemblies and exemplifies the general principles that determine their stability. Special focus is given to reversible capsules based on hydrogen-bonding interactions that exhibit interesting encapsulation phenomena. Furthermore, the role of hydrogen-bond formation in self-replicating processes is actively discussed, and finally the review briefly summarizes the development of novel materials (nanotubes, liquid crystals, polymers, etc.) and principles (dynamic libraries) that recently have emanated from this intriguing field of research.

Noncovalent synthesis using hydrogen bonding

Formation of an imine—from an amine and an aldehyde—is a reversible reaction which operates under thermodynamic control such that the formation of kinetically competitive intermediates are, in the fullness of time, replaced by the thermodynamically most stable product(s). For this fundamental reason, the imine bond has emerged as an extraordinarily diverse and useful one in the hands of synthetic chemists. Imine bond formation is one of a handful of reactions which define a discipline known as dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC), which is now employed widely in the construction of exotic molecules and extended structures on account of the inherent ‘proof-reading’ and ‘error-checking’ associated with these reversible reactions. While both supramolecular chemistry and DCC operate under the regime of reversibility, DCC has the added advantage of constructing robust molecules on account of the formation of covalent bonds rather than fragile supermolecules resulting from noncovalent bonding interactions. On the other hand, these products tend to require more time to form—sometimes days or even months—but their formation can often be catalysed. In this manner, highly symmetrical molecules and extended structures can be prepared from relatively simple precursors. When DCC is utilised in conjunction with template-directed protocols—which rely on the use of noncovalent bonding interactions between molecular building blocks in order to preorganise them into certain relative geometries as a prelude to the formation of covalent bonds under equilibrium control—an additional level of control of structure and topology arises which offers a disarmingly simple way of constructing mechanically-interlocked molecules, such as rotaxanes, catenanes, Borromean rings, and Solomon knots. This tutorial review focuses on the use of dynamic imine bonds in the construction of compounds and products formed with and without the aid of additional templates. While synthesis under thermodynamic control is giving the field of chemical topology a new lease of life, it is also providing access to an endless array of new materials that are, in many circumstances, simply not accessible using more traditional synthetic methodologies where kinetic control rules the roost. One of the most endearing qualities of chemistry is its ability to reinvent itself in order to create its own object, as Berthelot first pointed out a century and a half ago.

Dynamic imine chemistry.

Supramolecular chemistry is the study of the structures and functions of the supermolecules that result from binding substrates to molecular receptors. Macropolycyclic receptors and coreceptors have been designed that form cryptate inclusion complexes and display molecular recognition towards spherical, tetrahedral, and linear substrates of various kinds (metal cations, inorganic anions, and organic or biological cations or anions). Anion binding has led to the development of anion coordination chemistry. Metalloreceptors simultaneously bind organic molecules and metal ions; speleands combine polar and nonpolar binding subunits. Receptors bearing reactive functional groups may act as molecular reagents or catalysts, performing a chemical transformation on the bound substrates (by such reactions as hydrogen transfer, ester cleavage, and protoadenosinetriphosphatase and protokinase activities). Receptors fitted with lipophilic groups can operate as molecular carriers, translocating bound species through a membrane; this transport can be coupled to chemical potentials (proton and redox gradients).

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/sci/227/4689/849.full.pdf

Supramolecular Chemistry: Receptors, Catalysts, and Carriers

Whereas the pure compounds are non-mesogenic, equimolar mixtures of the complementary components (5)–(7) and (11) present a liquid crystalline phase that may be attributed to the formation of the mesogenic supramolecular species (12).

Macroscopic expression of molecular recognition. Supramolecular liquid crystalline phases induced by association of complementary heterocyclic components

(D3)-Bis(cyclotriveratrylenyl)(4), has been synthesized in racemic and optically active forms by stereo-specific replication of a (C3)-subunit; the absolute configuration of (+)-(4) was assigned from that of the (C3)-precursor.

Synthesis of a (D3)-bis(cyclotriveratrylenyl) macrocage by stereospecific replication of a (C3)-subunit

Combination of a receptor unit with a rigid shaping unit produces a new type of receptor molecules of the cryptand class, hollow macropolycyclic molecules termed speleands, capable of substrate inclusion. Two members of this category of compounds 1 and 2, have been synthesized by connecting in a single step, a macro-cyclic [18]-N3O3 binding unit with a rigid cyclotriveratrylene unit via three bridges. Compound 1 binds the rnethylammonium cation forming both external and internal complexes; for the latter a ‘speleme’ structure, schematically represented by 15, may be proposed.

Speleands. Macropolycyclic receptor cages based on binding and shaping sub-units. Synthesis and properties of macrocycle cyclotriveratrylene combinations. Preliminary communication

Exciton approach to the optical activity of C3-cyclotriveratrylene derivatives

Chirality directed self-assembly. Resolution of 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-3,6-dione and crystal structures of its racemic and (−) enantiomeric forms

Jacqueline Gabard

Papers

Macroscopic expression of molecular recognition. Supramolecular liquid crystalline phases induced by association of complementary heterocyclic components

Synthesis of a (D3)-bis(cyclotriveratrylenyl) macrocage by stereospecific replication of a (C3)-subunit

Speleands. Macropolycyclic receptor cages based on binding and shaping sub-units. Synthesis and properties of macrocycle cyclotriveratrylene combinations. Preliminary communication

Exciton approach to the optical activity of C3-cyclotriveratrylene derivatives

Chirality directed self-assembly. Resolution of 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-3,6-dione and crystal structures of its racemic and (−) enantiomeric forms