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Molecular self-assembly for the construction of complex architectures

Our research is focused in the design, synthesis and study of functional molecular aggregates. We tackle the thermodynamic characterization of self-assembly processes as a methodology to construct large and functional multimolecular architectures. We are also active in the design and synthesis of new synthetic heteroditopic receptors for ion-pairs. Another area of our interest resides in the design and application of molecular containers. These are molecules or supramolecules which are sufficiently large to include or encapsulate other molecules. We investigate the effect that the confinement of molecules in reduced nanoscopic spaces may have in modifying their chemical reactivity. We are also interested in the synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIM) i.e. catenanes and rotaxanes, which have potential applications in molecular machinery.