500594 - SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY

courses

ID:

500594

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

CHIMICA GENERALE E INORGANICA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge of supramolecular systems (e.g. design, properties, characterization, applications,.). The following topics will be extensively treated: the meaning and functions of supramolecular systems; host-guest chemistry and related thermodynamic aspects; recognition processes in synthetic and biological systems; transport through artificial membranes; signaling of the recognition process (molecular sensors for ionic substrates, neutral and of biological interest); self-assembly; chirality in supramolecular systems; transition from simple inorganic supramolecules to multicomponent architectures; molecular machines able to perform movements and molecular devices for the processing of moving energy and information at the molecular level; nanoreactors and supramolecular catalysis.
At the completion of the course, students will have acquired a background that allows them to understand
the "state of the art" of supramolecular chemistry in the scientific literature.

Course Prerequisites

Good knowledge of inorganic chemistry with particular reference to the coordination chemistry of transition and alkali metals. Basic knowledge of physical and organic chemistry.

Teaching Methods

Lectures mainly given by Power Point presentations projected on screen. In-depth analysis of selected topics on the blackboard. most examples of supramolecular systems presented in the lectures come from scientific papers. Bibliographic references will be provided to the students.

Assessment Methods

Oral exam aiming to verify the knowledge gained by the student on the main topics of the course. The preparation of a power point presentation on topics taken from the scientific literature - within the supramolecular chemistry field - might be suggested to the students.

Texts

Detailed lecture notes of the teachers.
Reference book:
1. J.M. Lehn, Supramolecular Chemistry, Concepts and Perspectives, VCH, 1995;
2. P.D. Beer, P.A. Gale, D.K. Smith, Supramolecular Chemistry, Oxford University Press, 1999;
3. F. Vögtle, Supramolecular Chemistry: an introduction, Wiley, 1993

The language of Supramolecular Chemistry. host-guest chemistry and related thermodynamic aspects. Recognition of cationic substrates Processes: cations of different geometries (spherical, tetrahedral, planar, etc.) such as metal ions and of organic nature. Recognition of anionic and neutral species. Synthetic receptors: crown ethers, cryptands, spherands, calixarenes, cyclodextrins, cyclophanes, etc .. Transport Processes through natural and synthetic membranes using carrier specifically designed for substrates of different nature; supramolecular catalysis and molecular containers. Signaling of the recognition process: design of molecular sensors for ionic substrates, neutral and of biological interest (eg. Amino acids, nucleotides). Electrochemical sensors, colorimetric and fluorescent. molecular switches. Programmed systems; Double and triple helicates, chirality and self-assembly: cooperativeness, self-recognition, double and triple chiral propellers; other multicomponent systems (containing metal cations): cylinders, racks, shelves. Intermolecular interactions, hydrogen and halogen bonding. Supramolecular machines and devices: synthesis and topology catenanes and rotaxanes; molecular motions, data storage at the molecular level, molecular electronics (machines and engines: shuttles, rotors, brakes); translocation cationic and signaling; hysteresis and molecular memories (self-assembling / disassembling). Characterization of supramolecular systems in solution (mass spectrometry, absorption and emission spectroscopy, NMR techniques) and examples. First and second level template effects. From cyclic helicates to supramolecular knots, synthetic strategies and role of anions. Applications of supramolecular systems such as nano-reactors (examples in the literature: capsules of Raymond and Fujita). thermodynamic role of supramolecular capsules (examples of Raymond and Nitschke).