Supramolecular gels: a versatile crystallization toolbox
Metadatos
Mostrar el registro completo del ítemEditorial
Royal Society of Chemistry
Fecha
2024-09-11Referencia bibliográfica
Contreras Montoya, R. et. al. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024. [https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CS00271g]
Patrocinador
European Commission (HORIZON-MSCA-PF-2022, project 101110492); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Spain) MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 (PID2020-118498GB-I00 and PID2020- 116261GB-I00); Engineering and Physical Research Council (EP/S035877/1); Universidad de Granada/CBUAResumen
Supramolecular gels are unique materials formed through the self-assembly of molecular building
blocks, typically low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs), driven by non-covalent interactions. The
process of crystallization within supramolecular gels has broadened the scope of the traditional gelphase
crystallization technique offering the possibility of obtaining crystals of higher quality and size. The
broad structural diversity of LMWGs allows crystallization in multiple organic and aqueous solvents,
favouring screening and optimization processes and the possibility to search for novel polymorphic
forms. These supramolecular gels have been used for the crystallization of inorganic, small organic
compounds of pharmaceutical interest, and proteins. Results have shown that these gels are not only
able to produce crystals of high quality but also to influence polymorphism and physicochemical
properties of the crystals, giving rise to crystals with potential new bio- and technological applications.
Thus, understanding the principles of crystallization in supramolecular gels is essential for tailoring their
properties and applications, ranging from drug delivery systems to composite crystals with tunable
stability properties. In this review, we summarize the use of LMWG-based supramolecular gels as media
to grow single crystals of a broad range of compounds.