The supramolecular chemistry tag should be applied to questions pertaining to supramolecular systems, both natural (e.g. biological systems with supramolecular behaviour) and artificial (e.g. man made structures such as molecular knots/machines).
Supramolecular chemistry is the branch of chemistry studying complex structures involving weaker types of bonds than covalent, e.g. hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, or even "topological bonds" emerged from mechanical interlocking of molecular rings.
Definition:
A field of chemistry related to species of greater complexity than molecules, that are held together and organized by means of intermolecular interactions. The objects of supramolecular chemistry are supermolecules and other polymolecular entities that result from the spontaneous association of a large number of components into a specific phase (membranes, vesicles, micelles, solid state structures etc.)
Supramolecular Chemistry is all about interactions between molecules: how they can recognise each other, assemble and function on a molecular scale. It provides a bottom up approach to nanoscale systems with applications ranging from biology to materials science.
Applicability of the supramolecular tag:
supramolecular-chemistry should be applied to any questions relating to the properties/synthesis/characterisation/study of supramolecular systems (both natural and synthetic)
Additional tags may help to define the question, for instance synthesis if the question is about how to make a supramolecular system, or nmr if the question is interested in the spectroscopic properties.
Further reading:
Although supramolecular chemistry is a relatively new field, there are several good/accessible books and reviews published:
- Atwood, J., Steed, J.; Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley: Chichester, 2009
- Lehn, J. M.; Supramolecular Chemistry, Wiley-VCH: Weinheim , 1995
The 2016 Nobel Prize lectures and associated material may also provide a useful historical context to the field.
