Supramolecular chemistry deals with the interactions between molecules and has become one of the fundamental areas of chemical research. This module aims to introduce students to supramolecular chemistry through lectures and a tutorial. In this module students will attend 15 lectures and 1 tutorial. The general aims of the module are to introduce and develop the students’ knowledge of

• the chemistry of molecular assemblies and intermolecular bonds, or chemistry beyond the molecule
• concepts of non-covalent chemistry, host-guest chemistry, molecular recognition, self-assembly and self-organisation.

By the end of this module the students will be

• knowledgeable of non-covalent bonding such as hydrogen-bonding, ion-ion interactions, ion-dipole interactions, van der Waals forces, pi-pi stacking interactions, solvatophobic forces etc. with respect to  supramolecular chemistry.
• able to describe, understand and rationalise a range of supramolecular assemblies

Supramolecular chemistry covers a wide range of systems including host-guest sytems, clathrates, cavitands, supramolecular polymers and gels. In this module, the students will be introduced to concepts such as crystal engineering, self-assembling compounds, dynamic covalent chemistry, molecular self-assembly, host-guest complexes and biological mimics. The syllabus will include:

Introduction to supramolecular chemistry – nature of supramolecular interactions, solvation effects, cooperativity, host-guest interactions, chelation, macrocyclic effect, characterisation of supramolecualr systems.

Cation-binding  – Why bind cations?, Synthesis of macrocycles,  crown ethers, cryptands, spherands, proton binding, calixarenes, Siderophores

Anion binding – Why bind anions, Properties of anions, recognition using electrostatic Hydrogen bonds and Lewis acidic hosts

Simultaneous cation and anion binding – Cascade approach, Separate binding sites

Neutral guest binding – Hydrogen bonds, Hydrophobic effect

Self Assembly – pi-electron donor-acceptor systems, transition metal directed assemblies, hydrogen bond assemblies, anion directed assemblies

Solid state Host-Guest systems – clathrates, calixarenes, molecular crystals

Crystal Engineering – tectons and synthons, crystal nucleation and growth, polymorphism, crystal structure prediction.

Network solids – porosity, zeolites, cages, MOFs

Biological Mimics and Supramolecular Catalysis – enzyme mimics, ion-channel mimics,

Supramolecular Chemistry of Life – porphyrins, plant photosynthesis, enzymes

Interfaces and Liquid Assemblies – surfactants, micelles, vesicles, liquid crystals, supramolecular Polymers

Present and future applications – Phase transfer reagents, separation of mixtures, Sensors, Switches and Molecular Machinary, Supramolecular catalysts, Pharmaceuticals.

This module consists of 15 50-minute lectures. There will be one set of tutorial-style questions that will be set and assessed, to count for 20% of the final mark. Outline answers will be available in VITAL.  It is recognised that self-study will be important for students in this module. Case studies will be used to illustrate the material and demonstrate the applicability of the principles described to specific cases. The assignment will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the material within the context of their wider reading.

Essential texts:

Supramolecular Chemistry by J.W. Steed and J.L. Atwood, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-470-51234-0

Supramolecular Chemistry by P.D. Beer, P.A. Gale and D.K. Smith, Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN: 0-19-850447-0