Supramolecular chemistry is the study of entities of greater complexity than individual molecules — assemblies of molecules that bond and organize through intermolecular interactions. The objects studied in supramolecular chemistry are supermolecules and other polymolecular entities that result from the spontaneous association of a large number of components into a specific phase (membranes, vesicles, micelles, solid state structures, etc).

 

buckyball

Main article.

 

A buckyball, also known as buckminsterfullerene or fullerene, is a large molecule made of carbon atoms arranged in the form of a convex polyhedral cage.

 

carbon nanotube

Main article.

 

A carbon nanotube, also known as a buckytube, is a cylindrical carbon molecule that belongs to the fullerene structural family.

 

fullerene

Fullerene is a third form of carbon, after diamond and graphite. Its molecules may be roughly spherical in shape, in which case they are known as buckyballs, or tubular in shape, in which case they are known as carbon nanotubes. Fullerene, also known as buckminsterfullerene, is named after the American architect whose geodesic domes the molecules resemble.

 

intercalation compound

An intercalation compound is a compound formed when a guest molecule, atom, or ion is inserted into cavities or other spaces, particularly between layers, in a host compound, resulting in little change of structure in the host compound. For example, graphite intercalation compounds consist of (largely intact) graphite layers with guest molecules or atoms are located in between.

 

supermolecule

A supermolecule is a discrete oligomolecular species that results from the intermolecular association of its components.