Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
The Beauty of Chemistry in the Words of
Writers and in the Hands of Scientists
Margherita Venturi, Enrico Marchi, and Vincenzo Balzani
Abstract Chemistry is a central science because all the processes that sustain life
are based on chemical reactions, and all things that we use in everyday life are
natural or artificial chemical compounds. Chemistry is also a fantastic world
populated by an unbelievable number of nanometric objects called molecules, the
smallest entities that have distinct shapes, sizes, and properties. Molecules are
the words of matter. Indeed, most of the other sciences have been permeated by
the concepts of chemistry and the language of molecules. Like words, molecules
contain specific pieces of information that are revealed when they interact with one
another or when they are stimulated by photons or electrons. In the hands of
chemists, molecules, particularly when they are suitably combined or assembled
to create supramolecular systems, can play a variety of functions, even more
complex and more clever than those invented by nature. The wonderful world of
chemistry has inspired scientists not only to prepare new molecules or investigate
new chemical processes, but also to create masterpieces. Some nice stories based on
chemical concepts (1) show that there cannot be borders on the Earth, (2) underline
that there is a tight connection among all forms of matter, and (3) emphasize the
irreplaceable role of sunlight.
Keywords Catenanes
Dendrimers
Molecular logic
Molecules as words
Rotaxanes
Supramolecular chemistry
Writers and chemistry
