26107 - RICONOSCIMENTO MOLECOLARE (MOLECULAR RECOGNITION)

Learning outcomes

(a) Give guidelines for the design and synthesis of supramolecular species able to perform useful functions, with particular attention to molecular recognition and self-assembly.
(b) Describe the main classes of supramolecular systems.
(c) Illustrate the potential applications of molecular self-assembly for a "bottom up" approach to nanotechnology

Course contents

1. Introduction
From atoms to man. Concept of supramolecular system. Comparison between Chemistry and Language. Latent and emergent properties. From Chemistry to Biology. Complexity in biological systems.

2. Molecular recognition
Intermolecular forces. Recognition of cations, anions, and neutral molecules. Template effect.

3. Self-assembly and self-organization
Characteristics of self-assembly. Programmed molecules and supermolecules. Self-assembly of multicomponent systems (helicates, racks, ladders, grids). Self-assembly driven by hydrogen bonding. "Janus" molecules. Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules: micelles, membranes, vesicles. Self-assembly on surfaces: self-assembled monolayers. Soft lithography. Supramolecular catalysis. Self-replication. Evolution in artificial chemical systems. Brief discussion on the transport of chemical species across membranes.
Basic description of natural and artificial photosynthesis.

4. Main classes of supramolecular species
Host-guest systems. Self-assembled nanocapsules. Carcerands and hemicarcerands. Pseudorotaxanes, rotaxanes, catenanes, molecular knots. Dendrimers. Supramolecolar polymers. Dynamic covalent systems.

5. Molecular recognition and nanotechnology
"Top-down" and "bottom-up" strategies for the construction of nanostructures. Basic elements on molecular devices and machines. Chemosensors. Natural and artificial molecular machines.

Readings/Bibliography

J.-M. Lehn, Supramolecular Chemistry – Concepts and Perspectives, VCH, Weinheim, 1995.

J. W. Steed, J. L. Atwood, Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley, Chichester, 2000.

Saranno resi disponibili i lucidi di lezione ed eventualmente articoli pertinenti agli argomenti trattati.

Teaching methods

The course is mainly composed of classroom lectures with the use of transparencies. Other classroom activities (e.g., discussion on current literature work) are carried out. Subjects of high technological or socio-economical impact, related to the topics treated in the course, are presented if time is available.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral. No less than three questions will be asked, the first one being on a topic chosen by the student.

Teaching tools

PC-beamer or overhead projector. The transparencies used in the lectures are distributed in advance, in paper or electronic form. Classroom discussion of articles of particular relevance will be carried out.

Links to further information

http://www.ciam.unibo.it/photochem

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Credi