Language
Country/Area
No result found
From enzymes to molecular machines: How does supramolecular chemistry inspire the future of biotechnology?
Supramolecular chemistry is a field involving chemical systems composed of discrete molecules that rely on non-covalent interactions for spatial organization. Unlike traditional chemistry that focuses on covalent bonds, supramolecular chemistry emphasizes weak and reversible intermolecular interactions. These forces include hydrogen bonds, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces, van der Waals forces, and electronic electrostatic effects. Based on research in this area, it is possible to understand many key biological processes that rely on these interactions to maintain structure and function.
Important concepts in supramolecular chemistry include molecular self-assembly, molecular folding, molecular recognition, host-guest chemistry, mechanically interlocked molecular structures, and dynamic covalent chemistry.
Historical review
The roots of supramolecular chemistry can be traced back to 1873, when Johannes Diderik van der Waals first proposed the existence of intermolecular forces. Later, in 1894, Nobel Prize winner Hermann Emile Fisher proposed the "lock and key" model of enzyme-substrate interactions, which became the basis for molecular recognition and host-guest chemistry. Over time, scientists gradually improved their understanding of noncovalent bonds, especially in the 1920s, when Latimer and Rodbush's description of hydrogen bonds further advanced the field.
In 1987, three scientists, Donald J. Cram, Jean-Marie Leon, and Charles J. Pedersen, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development and applications in structure-specific interacting molecules.
Basic concepts
Molecular self-assembly
Molecular self-assembly refers to the spontaneous assembly of molecules through non-covalent interactions without external guidance or management. This phenomenon is not only applicable to the formation of supramolecular combinations, but also related to the folding process of biological macromolecules. Self-assembly can also build larger structures, such as microcells, membranes and liquid crystals, which is of great significance to crystal engineering.
Molecular recognition and complexation
Molecular recognition refers to the specific binding of a guest molecule to a complementary host molecule to form a host-guest complex. This process is often used in the design of molecular sensors and catalysts.
Template-catalyzed synthesis
Molecular recognition and self-assembly can be used to pre-organize reactants to bring reaction sites closer to facilitate chemical reactions, especially when faced with thermodynamically or kinetically unlikely reactions.
Mechanically interlocked molecular structure
Mechanically interlocked molecular structures are composed of molecules that are linked to each other simply by topology. The generation of such structures often relies on noncovalent interactions, and examples include linked molecules, rotating molecules, and molecular knots.
Molecular machinery refers to molecules or molecular clusters that can perform functions such as linear or rotational motion. This concept occupies an important position in supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology.
Application fields
Material Technology
Supramolecular chemistry has played an important role in the development of new materials, especially through the process of molecular self-assembly, a bottom-up synthesis approach that allows chemists to easily build large structures.
Catalysis
Catalyst design is one of the major applications of supramolecular chemistry, with non-covalent interactions playing a key role in the binding of reactants.
Medicine
Design based on supramolecular chemistry has promoted the creation of functional biomaterials and therapeutic agents, including proteins, macrocyclic and hydrogen-bonding systems based on supramolecular combinations. These materials have shown considerable potential in biomedicine.
Data storage and processing
At the molecular scale, supramolecular chemistry has been used to demonstrate computational capabilities and demonstrate components using chemical or optical signals that may in the future facilitate the storage and processing of data.
Due to the influence of supramolecular chemistry, many future biotechnological applications have been opened, facilitating the development of new materials and drugs. As research deepens, can supramolecular chemistry truly change our biotech landscape?
