화학공학소재연구정보센터
Macromolecules, Vol.43, No.8, 3809-3816, 2010
Highly Specific Molecular Recognition by a Roughly Defined Supramolecular Nanocapsule: A Fuzzy Recognition Mechanism
Can a supramolccular host conduct fuzzy recognition like a man? Currently, molecular recognition in supramolecular chemistry is generally promoted by specific interaction formed between a guest and a well-defined but usually costly synthesized complementary host. Here we show that a roughly defined macromolecular nanocapsule derived from hyperbranched polyethylenimine (HPEI) can act as a highly selective host for the recognition of featureless guests. The recognition is not promoted by specific molecular interaction but by a fuzzy recognition mechanism, i.e., the statistical accumulation of elementary host guest interactions, where a guest can be regarded as a multivalent entity for supramolecular interactions. It is found that core engineering of the macromolecular nanocapsule will influence its guest affinity; the difference of the competitive guest species can be amplified, and highly specific recognition is thus possible. Because the macromolecular nanocapsule derived from HPEI is structurally featured for the dense functional groups randomly populated in the core, meticulous core engineering is conveniently available. Our results demonstrate that a roughly defined, readily available macromolecular nanocapsule can act as a highly selective host, and the fuzzy recognition is potential for the recognition of common molecules which are topologically and electronically featureless.