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Project Progress

Chemical amplification is characteristic of living systems, and is necessary for increased sensitivity, responsiveness, and self-replication. We continue to explore a synthetic system in which compartmentalization leads to nonlinear, autocatalytic behavior. The compartments are reversibly formed capsules in which small molecular guests are temporarily surrounded by larger molecular hosts. They represent an extreme form of molecular recognition – molecules within molecules. The complexes are held together by weak intermolecular forces and their lifetimes vary from milliseconds to days. This range allows their applications as nanometric reaction chambers, as means to stabilize reagents and as spaces where new forms of stereochemistry can emerge. The capsule provides a mechanical barrier that imposes restrictions on the motion of guests held inside.

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