Learning outcomes

Definition, description, characterization, chemical and physical properties of organic and inorganic supramolecular systems. Basic concepts of organic chemistry, coordination chemistry and physical organic chemistry are required.

Goals

The objectives of the course is to familiarize with the concept of non-covalent interactions for engineering supramolecular architectures in different fields: biochemistry, material science, nanotechnology, molecular machines and organic chemistry.

Content

Supramolecular chemistry is concerned with intermolecular assemblies hiring "non-covalent interactions". Communication, information, self-assembly, self-organization, association reversible and adaptable to the environment, emergent properties are some of the concepts explored in this course, between chemistry, biology and physics. See detailed table of content for the course SCHIM203 in 2023-2024 below.

Table of contents

Table of content for the course SCHIM203 in 2023-2024
1) Introduction to supramolecular chemistry
- Supramolecular interactions
- Molecular recognition
2) Molecular hosts
- Topology
- Preorganization
- Topicity and complexation stoichiometry
3) Recognition of cationic substrates
- Types of guests and interactions
- Examples of hosts
4) Recognition of neutral substrates
- Types of guests and interactions
- Examples of hosts
5) Recognition of anionic substrates
- Types of guests and interactions
- Examples of hosts
6) Remarkable types of synthetic molecular hosts
- Oligomeric macrocycles
- Metal-organic macrocycles and cages
7) Applications of supramolecular chemistry
- Sensing
- Separation and transport
- Catalysis and supramolecular protection
- Dynamic combinatorial chemistry
8) Supramolecular chemistry in bioorganisms
- DNA and RNA
- Micelles, vesicles and membranes
- Proteins and enzymes
9) Construction of molecular architectures through supramolecular chemistry
- Template effect
- Rotaxanes
- Catenanes
- Knots
- Polyhedra
10) Molecular machines
- Molecular shuttles and motors
- Molecular robotics
- Nanocars

Exercices

NA

Assessment method

The evaluation consists of a written examination of 2-3 hours in part focusing on the the course content and in part based on a critical reading and analysis of a recent scientific article taken from the literature.

Sources, references and any support material

Jean-Marie Lehn, De Boeck Université (disponible à la bibliothèque et au bureau du professeur) - Supramolecular Chemistry
J.W. Steed and J.L. Atwood, 2nd Edition (2009), John Wiley & Sons

Language of instruction

Anglais