Mimicking biological recognition processes such as enzyme-substrate process, with synthetic molecules is a continuous challenge to supramolecular researchers. Within this project, we design and construct functional materials via combining receptors and (bio)polymers through multiple weak interactions. The chemical and physical properties of these (bio)materials, such as response to pH and as sensors, are investigated.
Receptors as multivalent Halogen Bond Donors/Acceptors
Hydrogen bonds are by far the most frequently used weak interactions in the design of organic supramolecular architectures. The discovery of halogen bond which results from the charge transfer interaction between polarized halogen atoms and Lewis bases is making a major stride in the construction of multiple architectures and has been shown to have applications in material science. It is analogous to hydrogen bond in terms of strength and directionality. For example, resorcinarene salts can act as multivalent halogen bond acceptors while haloethylnyl resorcinarene cavitands act as multivalent halogen bond donors. The form architectures ranges from deep cavity cavitands, dimeric assemblies to supramolecular polymers.
Host-Guest Chemistry
Multiple weak interactions are involved in complexes with receptors. Their host guest properties can be tuned by attaching substituents at specific locations on these receptors leading to exotic supramolecular asemblies and architectures such as open inclusion complexes, dimeric and hexameric capsules, and interlocked systems. These systems are studied in all phases (gas, solution and solid).
