My Notes
Categories
The Rebek Laboratory homepage contains information on and molecular visualizations of a variety of host-guest systems developed by the research group over several decades. The theme behind this set of examples is the use of hydrogen-bonding to achieve self-assembly. Under the "Research" tab, one can find four videos with narration: an introduction to molecular assembly and three videos of specific examples of self-assembled host systems (the cavitand, the cylinder and the volleyball). In addition, at the bottom of the tab, there are links to JSmol files for 5 host systems (tennis ball, jelly donut, cylindrical capsule, softball, and tetrameric capsule) that allow the assemblies to be visualized interactively.
This is a great resource for faculty looking for ways to incorporate the new ACS Committee on Professional Training guidelines to discuss macromolecular, supramolecular, mesoscale and nanoscale systems within the framework of their existing curricula.
I have not yet used this resource with students but here are some possible relevant learning goals.
After viewing the Rebek Laboratory Homepage web source, students will be able to:
1) classify various self-assembled host-guest systems by the number of molecular components forming the assembly
2) identify the number and position of the hydrogen bonds that are responsible for the assembly of each host
3) identify the functional groups on the components of the host systems that are responsible for hydrogen bonding
4) state the experimentally determined percent volume of space generally occupied by guests that are encapsulated in these host systems
I have yet to use this website in my teaching but I hope that it may be a resource in expanding our curriculum in supramolecular chemistry.
Evaluation
I have yet to use this resource with students and therefore have no assessment of student learning to share at this time.
I have yet to use this resource with students.