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Title: Materials Beyond Cyclodextrins: Emergence Opens Up a Whole New World of Wonders

Abstract: During the past decade, members of the Stoddart research group have made two momentous discoveries in the area of carbohydrate materials, each having the potential to become a ‘disruptive technology’ for environmentally friendly products and sustainable processes. The two materials, both of which incorporate cyclic sugars known as cyclodextrins (CDs), are readily available from starch, and are inexpensive and environmentally benign. Promising as these materials are for technologies ranging from food processing to gold mining, they also constitute exquisite examples of molecular self-assembly processes, aided and abetted by molecular recognition where: (i) the four-fold g-CD molecular symmetry with eight glucose units orchestrates the spontaneous formation of the first edible metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing alkali metal (M+) cations, and (ii) the selective second-sphere coordination of potassium tetrabromoaurate (KAuBr4) by α-CD, with its six glucose units, leads to the selective bulk separation of the gold salt by precipitation, even in the presence of other precious metals...Abstract continued, please see website below

Lecture at 11:30 a.m. in CHE117 in Chernoff Hall and reception along with light refreshments to follow approximately 12:45 p.m. in the 4th floor lounge - all are welcome.