Reactive Coordination Polymers and Supramolecules

Both supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering examine the way molecules can come together to form larger structures. Usually the aggregations formed are chemically inert, limiting the scope of their potential application. This project aims to design and synthesise such assemblies that are capable of actively participating in chemical reactions after assembly, using carefully designed precursors and existing proven techniques of assembly. The realisation of these aims will give new routes to the production of new homogeneous multicentre catalysts (analogous to enzymes), industrially important heterogeneous catalysts, nanoscale molecular sieves, molecular sensors and switches, or materials that show unusual host-guest chemistry.