Assembly and encapsulation with self-complementary molecules

Molecular assemblies provide a means of evaluating intermolecular forces and chemical information involved in recognition processes. Self-complementary molecules are especially useful in this regard, and here are described synthetic structures inspired by sports equipment. These molecules dimerize through hydrogen bonding to generate pseudo-spherical capsules. Their assembled states are capable of reversible encapsulation of smaller molecules of complementary size and shape. The unusual thermodynamic parameters observed for the encapsulation process suggest a host-hostage relationship. The capsules show promise as reaction chambers.