ASSEMBLY AND ENCAPSULATION WITH SELF-COMPLEMENTARY MOLECULES

Molecular assemblies provide a means of evaluating intermolecular forc es and chemical information involved in recognition processes. Self-co mplementary molecules are especially useful in this regard, and here a re described synthetic structures inspired by sports equipment. These molecules dimerize through hydrogen bonding to generate pseudo-spheric al capsules. Their assembled states are capable of reversible encapsul ation of smaller molecules of complementary size and shape. The unusua l thermodynamic parameters observed for the encapsulation process sugg est a host-hostage relationship. The capsules show promise as reaction chambers.