Molecular Recognition by Synthetic Multifunctional Pores in Practice: Are Structural Studies Really Helpful?

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 169 - 179
• Main Authors: Baudry, Y., Bollot, G., Gorteau, V., Litvinchuk, S., Mareda, J., Nishihara, M., Pasini, D., Perret, F., Ronan, D., Sakai, N., Shah, M. R., Som, A., Sordé, N., Talukdar, P., Tran, D.-H., Matile, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 19.01.2006; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Molecular recognition; Supramolecular materials; Synthetic pores
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200500198

This account summarizes five years of research devoted to the development of the concept of synthetic multifunctional pores. The objective is to complement a comprehensive graphical summary of molecular recognition with a survey of structural studies on the same topic. The relevance of the latter for research focusing on creation and application of supramolecular functional materials is discussed briefly in a subjective manner. Construction of functional synthetic pores (see Figure and Cover) is attractive for practical applications in sensing and catalysis. This account summarizes five years of research devoted to the development of synthetic multifunctional pores. However, the importance of structural studies to reconfirm the validity of successful design strategies may be debatable, at least within the timeframe and objectives of the NRP 47.