Calorimetry: An indispensible tool in the design of molecular hosts

Abstract

The design of molecular host compounds is at the heart of supramolecular chemistry. In essence we strive to construct and assemble covalently bound sets of atoms that are capable of performing certain functions better than any other ensemble under given conditions. In order to approach this goal we look out for conceptual ideas that in any generality will not reflect the entirety of the true or putative facets of the real system but will rather be a xylographic projection of the bare necessities supposed to govern the desired properties. We seek a model, a faithful yet simple representation of the original that undoubtedly must contain a bias, but by virtue of the reduction in complexity enables the physical realization of the underlying idea. Even though the model might describe a systems behaviour in one particular situation it is a consequence of its fictitious nature that it may totally fail in another. Learning about the limitations of a model is as important for success in molecular design as is the parent concept, because it helps to avoid futile efforts and false reasoning. © 2005 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.