The term molecular recognition refers to the specific interaction between two or more molecules through noncovalent bonding such as hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, hydrophobic forces,[3][4]van der Waals forces, π-π interactions, halogen bonding, or resonant interaction[5]
effects. In addition to these direct interactions, solvents can play a dominant indirect role in driving molecular recognition in solution.[6][7] The host and guest involved in molecular recognition exhibit molecular complementarity. Exceptions are molecular containers,[8][9] including, e.g., nanotubes, in which portals essentially control selectivity.[10][11][12][13] Selective partioning of molecules between two or more phases can also result in molecular recognition.[14] In partitioning-based molecular recognition the kinetics and equilibrium conditions are governed by the presence of solutes in the two phases.[15]
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^Breiten B, Lockett MR, Sherman W, Fujita S, Al-Sayah M, Lange H, et al. (October 2013). "Water networks contribute to enthalpy/entropy compensation in protein-ligand binding". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 135 (41): 15579–15584. CiteSeerX10.1.1.646.8648. doi:10.1021/ja4075776. PMID24044696. S2CID17554787.
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^Cram DJ, Cram JM (1997). Container molecules and their guests. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN978-0-85186-972-8.
^Brotin T, Dutasta JP (January 2009). "Cryptophanes and their complexes--present and future". Chemical Reviews. 109 (1): 88–130. doi:10.1021/cr0680437. PMID19086781.
^Zhou H, Shiel E, Bell T, Lin S, Lenhert S (November 2023). "Kinetic Mechanism of Surfactant-Based Molecular Recognition: Selective Permeability across an Oil–Water Interface Regulated by Supramolecular Aggregates". The Journal of Physical Chemistry B. 127 (47): 10201–10214. doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c05017. PMID37972386.