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Macrocycles: Construction, Chemistry and Nanotechnology Applications

ISBN: 978-1-119-99029-1

February 2011

608 pages

Description
Macrocyclic molecules contain rings made up of seven or more atoms. They are interesting because they provide building blocks for synthesizing precise two or three dimensional structures – an important goal in nanotechnology. For example, they can be used to develop nanosized reaction vessels, cages, switches and shuttles, and have potential as components in molecular computers. They also have applications as catalysts and sensors.

Macrocycles: Construction, Chemistry and Nanotechnology Applications is an essential introduction this important class of molecules and describes how to synthesise them, their chemistry, how they can be used as nanotechnology building blocks, and their applications. A wide range of structures synthesised over the past few decades are covered, from the simpler cyclophanes and multi-ring aromatic structures to vases, bowls, cages and more complex multi-ring systems and 3D architectures such as “pumpkins”, interlocking chains and knots. Topics covered include:

  • principles of macrocycle synthesis
  • simple ring compounds
  • multi-ring aromatic structures
  • porphyrins and phthalocanines
  • cyclophanes
  • crown ethers, cryptands and spherands
  • calixarenes, resorcinarenes, cavitands, carcerands, and heterocalixarenes
  • cyclodextrins
  • cucurbiturils
  • cyclotriveratylenes
  • rotaxanes
  • catenanes
  • complex 3D architectures, including trefoils and knots

Macrocycles: Construction, Chemistry and Nanotechnology Applications distills the essence of this important topic for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and for researchers in other fields interested in getting a general insight into this increasingly important class of molecules.

About the Author
Dr Frank Davis
Cranfield University, UK
Dr Davis is a research fellow at Cranfield University, specialising in the biochemical and supramolecular aspects of electrochemistry. As well as pursuing academic research he has undertaken contract research for organisations such as Unilever Research (Port Sunlight), ITM Power Ltd (Sheffield), Timestrip (Hitchen) and DEFRA, and spent a 4-year research post within Gillette UK

Professor Séamus Higson
Cranfield University, UK
Séamus Higson is Professor of Bio- and Electro-Analysis at Cranfield University which he joined in August 2002. His previous career spans academic departments of chemistry, medicine and materials science and this is reflected in his research. Professor Higson also serves within an advisory and / or consultative capacity for a number of public bodies and also acts as Technical Director for Microarray Ltd - a company formed upon science and patents originating from his group. His current research is primarily focussed towards practical implementation of electro analytical science and analytical biochemistry for biomedical, environmental and industrial process control applications.

Features
  • First advanced textbook to provide an overview of this class of molecules
  • Assumes no previous knowledge, and is structured to take the reader in a logical step-by-step approach, from basic early structures through to current state of the art
  • Directed reading is given to more specialist texts for readers who want further information in given areas
  • Each chapter commences with learning objectives and concludes with a summary to help students enrolled on taught programmes
  • Contains over 100 diagrams and structural formulae to illustrate key principles and concepts
  • A companion website will contain links to resources described in the book and a library of downloadable diagrams for teaching purposes