ABOUT SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY - HOW A MODERN AND REVOLUTIONARY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT CAN BE PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS AS CHEMISTRY OF EVERY DAY.

Supramolecular chemistry, one of the topical fields of contemporary chemistry, deals sometimes with subtle interactions, sophisticated molecules, and huge molecular aggregates. Furthermore, many terms such as molecular self-assembly, mechanically-interlocked molecular architectures, container-molecule, and cryptand, may sound abstract and sometimes discouraging. The purpose of this paper is to show how a chemistry teacher can scrutinize supramolecular chemistry in terms of everyday chemistry. Four directions which can help to a better understanding of this domain are identified and analyzed. Simple synthetic procedures for most of the supramolecular receptors, the occurrence of supramolecular chemistry in Nature, the connection between supramolecular chemistry and life itself (self-assembly of nucleic acid bases) are useful examples for emphasizing the versatility of this domain. Last, but not least, the presence of supramolecular chemistry in food, drugs, drinks, tobacco-based products, homecare products, cosmetics, are relevant examples of how this concept is present in everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]