| Strategies for the construction of discrete and infinite organic and inorganic host-guest frameworks, via the process of self-assembly, are presented.; In particular, focus is placed on: (a) the structural consequences of noncovalent forces upon the conformation of the doubly protonated [2.2.2]cryptand, (b) the design of multicomponent calix[4]arenes based upon the octol resorcin[4]arene, (c) the synthesis of transition metal based organic-organic rectangular coordination polymers, and (d) spherical molecular containers. In each case, the ability of noncovalent forces (e.g. hydrogen bonds, pi-pi interactions) to direct the assembly process is demonstrated which, in turn, gives rise to host-guest frameworks which approach nanometer scale dimensions.; Ultimately, it is hoped that these studies will lead to a better understanding of the structural consequences of self-assembly processes so that they may be exploited for the design of functional materials. |
