Container Molecules and Their Guests: (Volume 4 Monographs in Supramolecular Chemistry)

Container Molecules and Their Guests deals with the fundamental principles and objectives that govern this rapidly developing subject and illustrates the emergence of a new field of biomimetic chemistry. The book demonstrates how a number of techniques, such as molecular modelling, synthesis, crystal structure, NMR solution structure and mass spectral structure determinations can be combined to develop a new branch of organic chemistry. It discusses the chemistry of completely new families of complexes - the carceplexes, hemicarceplexes and velcraplexes - and reviews for the first time the uses of the interiors of hemicarceplexes as a new phase for carrying out chemical reactions and for protecting unstable species. Furthermore, it illustrates how complexation and decomplexation rates are measured to provide free energies of binding, discusses new phenomena such as constrictive binding, and shows how solvophobic forces drive complexation in a variety of organic solvents. It also covers catalysis through complexation and chiral recognition in catalysis, both secondary themes of this volume. Container Molecules and Their Guests will provide stimulating reading for researchers, post-graduate students and teachers involved in bio-organic chemistry, organic chemistry, materials science, and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Table of Contents:
Contexts, Conceptions, Corands, and Coraplexes; Spherands, Spheraplexes, and Their Relatives; Chiral Recognition in Complexation; Partial Enzyme Mimics; Cavitands; Vases, Kites, Velcrands, and Velcraplexes; Carcerands and Carceplexes; Hemicarcerands and Constrictive Binding; Varieties of Hemicarcerands; Reactions of Complexed Hosts, of Incarcerated Guests, and Hosts Protection of Guests from Self Destruction; Subject Index.

Review :
"This well-presented book has been written by outstanding authorities in their fields, and represents an elegant synthesis of knowledge over a wide range of interdisciplinary areas in structured macromolecular chemistry. This work is a triumph of theoretical and experimental chemistry, and the book can be viewed as a most appropriate documentation of the achievements of the authors and their co-workers over this vital period of discovery and development in this important field". "A fascinating and impressive presentation of a masterpiece of supramolecular chemistry...This is not only a highly recommended reference book on container molecules, it is also an important contribution to modern organic chemistry which any chemist, even a newcomer to the field, would be well advised to own." "...the most authoritative review and detailed account of the research of Professor Cram's team..."