In this book we delve into the field of supramolecular chemistry, which deals with supermolecules. A supermolecule in this sense can be defined as a “molecule beyond a molecule” – a large and complex entity formed from other molecules.
The book conveys the relevance and fascination of the fast-growing field of supramolecular chemistry to advanced undergraduate students, and provides an overview of it to young scientists and engineers. Readers will find that supramolecular chemistry is associated with many attractive disciplines of chemistry, including molecular recognition, molecular topology, self-organization, ultrathin films, molecular devices and biomolecular systems. Supramolecular chemistry is still a very young field, and so it is difficult to predict its future, but it has already secured a firm position in the chemical sciences. For example, biotechnology and nanotechnology are expected to lead to technological revolutions inthe near future that will dramatically affect our lifestyles and economies. Supramolecular chemistry is an indispensable tool in these technologies. This book was originally written as part of a series of Japanese chemistry textbooks. The authors hope that this book be warmly accepted by English language readers as well.