Supramolecular chemistry facts for kids

An example of a supramolecular assembly.

Supramolecular complex of a chloride ion, cucurbit[5]uril, and cucurbit[10]uril.

An example of a mechanically-interlocked molecular architecture in this case a rotaxane.

An example of a host-guest chemistry.

host-guest complex with a p-xylylenediammonium bound within a cucurbituril.

Intramolecular self-assembly of a foldamer.

Supramolecular chemistry is area of chemistry that studies the relationship and linking molecules into bigger systems. It focuses on the chemical systems made up of a discrete number of assembled molecular subunits or components. The study of non-covalent interactions is crucial to understanding many biological processes from cell structure to vision that rely on these forces for structure and function. Biological systems are often the inspiration for supramolecular research.

Related pages

• Organic chemistry
• Nanotechnology

• 2D and 3D Models of Dodecahedrane and Cuneane Assemlies [1]

Images for kids

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  [ribosome]] is a biological machine that utilizes protein dynamics on nanoscales

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  3D interpenetrated network in the crystal structure of silsesquioxane

See also

In Spanish: Química supramolecular para niños