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"General Principles for the Design of Spherical Supramolecular Assemblies”

Jerry L. Atwood

Department of Chemistry
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO  65211

atwoodj@missouri.edu


   The enclosure of chemical space is one of the essential attributes of biological systems.  We have previously shown that macrocycles can serve as building blocks for very large assemblies.  In particular, calixarenes and resorcinarenes may be used to enclose space in a manner consistent with the principles of solid geometry attributed to Plato and to Archimedes.  The ability of macrocycles to effect the construction of hydrogen-bonded spherical enclosure assemblies is due to focussed functionality.  Aided by the concepts of solid geometry and by an understanding of focussed functionality, we have now prepared a range of new, large assemblies.  Further, we are able to use non-covalent interactions to organize the interior of certain of these spherical assemblies.  Strategies for this organization will be discussed.