Host–guest chemistry

Supramolecular structures held together other than by covalent bonds

In supramolecular chemistry, host–guest chemistry describes complexes composed of two or more molecules or ions held together in unique structural relationships by forces other than those of full covalent bonds. Host–guest chemistry therefore encompasses the idea of molecular recognition and interactions through non-covalent bonding, which is critical in maintaining the three-dimensional structure of large molecules, such as proteins, and is involved in many biological processes in which large molecules bind specifically but transiently to one another. Although non-covalent interactions could be roughly divided into those with more electrostatic or dispersive contributions, there are a few commonly mentioned types of non-covalent interactions: ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.

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