Coordination Networks and Supramolecules with Potential Post-Assembly Chemical Activity

目前受到极大关注的两个化学领域是超分子化学和晶体工程。然而，在大多数这样的系统中，一旦合成，组装体在化学上是惰性的。该项目旨在组装能够积极参与化学反应的超分子和配位聚合物。这类体系显示出作为新的多相或均相催化剂、选择性分子筛的潜力，或显示出不同寻常的主-客体化学。开发的技术将提供一种方法，通过这种方法，目前工业上广泛使用的均相催化剂可以转化为多相物种。这将有许多好处，包括提高催化剂的回收和重复使用。

Two areas of chemistry currently receiving a great deal of attention are supramolecular chemistry and crystal engineering. However, in the majority of these systems, once synthesised the assemblies are chemically inert. This project aims to assemble supramolecules and coordination polymers which are capable of actively participating in chemical reactions. Such systems show potential as new heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysts, selective molecular sieves, or show unusual host-guest chemistry. Techniques developed will provide a means by which present homogeneous catalysts used widely in industry could be converted into heterogeneous species. This would have many benefits, including improved recovery and re-use of catalysts.