Halogen Bonding in Supramolecular Chemistry: From Molecule to Function

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The knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry in modifying the covalent backbones of molecules, and inducing functional groups or substituents at specific sites in order to explore intra- and intermolecular non-covalent interactions beyond single molecules, has led to a new domain called ‘’supramolecular chemistry.’’ For more than a century, contemporary chemistry and its applicability has largely been driven by non-covalent interactions to decode nature’s intricate architectures and mechanisms, including enzymes that catalyze C−C bond formations. Intense research of this topic has led not only to the conceptualization and definition of new weak and strong interactions such as halogen, chalcogen, and tetrel bonds with reference to ubiquitous hydrogen bonding, but also methods development developed to characterize even forces in solids, solutions, and gas-phases. Today, the self-assembly process has become part of the chemist’s powerful toolkit for engineering molecules into stable and well-defined structures under thermodynamic conditions—particularly biological molecules that demand strict complementarity in size and shape. More importantly, the knowledge of all forms of chemistry disciplines (synthetic, analytical, physical, and theoretical) has made supramolecular chemistry an interface between chemistry, biology and materials sciences.

This Research Topic features advances in arranging discrete molecules and extended material systems by rational design of halogen bonding non-covalent interactions that make up part of the supramolecular chemist’s toolkit. The goal of this thematic article collection, therefore, is to compile an invigorating collection of research articles from the supramolecular community with research interests in understanding the self-assembly of molecules, targeting their applicability in e.g., crystal engineering, inclusion phenomena, anion recognition, sensors, thermo- and photo- responsive materials, and organic-inorganic hybrid supramolecular complexes. We also welcome contributions involving mechanochemistry, an emerging strategy based on grinding/ball-milling into synthesis organic compounds, for halogen bonded supramolecular networks and materials chemistry applications.

Submit manuscript at www.longdom.org/submissions/natural-products-chemistry-research.html or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office at manuscripts@longdom.org

Best Regards

Angelina Andrews PhD
Journal Coordinator | Natural Products Chemistry and Research