Nanostructures

2

Supramolecular Systems

M.L. de Moraes^*

L. Caseli^***    Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil^**    Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

A few basic concepts of supramolecular systems will be described in this chapter. Supramolecular systems are assemblies of chemical subunits linked by covalent or intermolecular interactions. Molecules with several cyclic structures (macrocycles) and aggregation disperse systems (micelles and liposomes) are included in those cases. It will be shown how macrocycles can be used for different applications (e.g., molecular recognition processes) and how ...