C.i. PROGETTAZIONE MOLECOLARE E CHIMICA INORGANICA SUPRAMOLECOLARE

Module CHIMICA INORGANICA SUPRAMOLECOLARE

• CHIMICA INORGANICA SUPRAMOLECOLARE
  

  Specific educational goals of this course are: knowledge of the first principles (forces, interactions and processes) at the basis of non-covalent chemistry. With the gaze turned to natural systems, we want to lead the student to the understanding of self-assembly phenomena to allow the design of supramolecular devices. To this end, an overview of the rationale behind supramolecular design will also be presented: that is, the scientific works based on the logical processes that allow to proceed from design to the non-covalent synthesis of supramolecular species with the wanted structure and specific chemical-physical properties. To this end, the relevance of hierarchical processes will be illustrated and how to exploit the thermodynamic-kinetic dichotomy. The role of metal ions in determining the characteristics of the aggregates will be highlighted throughout the program.

  Furthermore, with reference to the so-called Dublin Descriptors, this course contributes to acquiring the following transversal skills:

  Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge of hierarchical processes and of the thermodynamic-kinetic dichotomy, knowledge and understanding of the role of conformations in modulating the properties of polymers.

  Applied knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply the knowledge described above through the examples shown in class, both in textbooks and in published research.

  Autonomy of judgment: Students learn to objectively evaluate what they have learned during lessons through interaction with the teacher and the different examples of application of logical-deductive tools in design.

  Communication skills: Ability to describe in oral form, with properties of language and terminological rigor, the scientific topics presented in class, illustrating the logical path that starting from the motivations leads to the results.

  Learning skills: Learning skills are assessed through discussions during the lessons - which are an important part of the course - and the oral exam.

Introduction to supramolecular chemistry; the basis of non-covalent synthesis

- Nature as a model: we learn to read molecular and supramolecular information (DNA, proteins). Relations between structures (primary, secondary, tertiary) and function. Allosteric effect. Self-assembly hierarchy and kinetic inertia: thermodynamics and kinetics at work

-Nature of non-covalent interactions. The role of the solvent: solubility and solvophobicity.

-Classification of synthetic supramolecular compounds. Chelating effect and macrocycle effect. Preorganization and complementarity.

The non-covalent synthesis and the covalent synthesis: a marriage of convenience

Self-assembly

- Supramolecular architecture, hints of crystal engineering.

- Supramolecular stereochemistry. Intrinsic chirality and induced chirality. Chiral memory, role of metal ions

-Catalysis and supramolecular reactivity. Self-replication.

Sensors

- Optical and chiroptic switches. -Logic gates (YES, NOT, AND, OR, XOR) from supramolecular systems.

Notes from lessons

• J.-M. Lehn, Supramolecular Chemistry, VCH
• J. W. Steed and J. L. Atwood, Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley
• P. D. Beer, P. A. Gale and D. K. Smith Supramolecular Chemistry,OCP

INORGANIC SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY

The exam consists of an oral test and will be conducted starting from a comparison on the basic concepts and then moving on to the applications in such a way as to verify the candidate's preparation and his ability to build a logical scientific path.