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Self-assembly

Molecular recognition scaled up

Nature Chemistry volume 3, pages 9–10 (2011)Cite this article

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The mutual and specific recognition that can be exhibited between 'host' and 'guest' molecules occurs over very small length scales, but this phenomenon has now been demonstrated using macroscopic gels that self-assemble before your eyes.

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Figure 1: Molecular recognition between cyclodextrins and hydrocarbon-guest residues leads to self-assembly at a macroscopic level2.

References

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  1. Jonathan Steed is in the Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK. jon.steed@durham.ac.uk,

    Jonathan W. Steed

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  1. Jonathan W. Steed
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Steed, J. Molecular recognition scaled up. Nature Chem 3, 9–10 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.920

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