Difference Between Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Chemistry

The key difference between supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry is that supramolecular chemistry deals with weak, reversible non-covalent interactions between molecules whereas molecular chemistry deals with laws governing the formation and breakage of chemical bonds between molecules.

Chemistry is a broad subject that can be subdivided into different areas depending on the subject matter. Some areas of chemistry include organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, molecular chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, etc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Supramolecular Chemistry 
3. What is Molecular Chemistry
4. Side by Side Comparison – Supramolecular Chemistry vs Molecular Chemistry in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Supramolecular Chemistry?

Supramolecular chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with chemical systems containing a discrete number of molecules. There can be different interactions between these molecules, including intermolecular forces, electrostatic forces, hydrogen bonds, strong covalent bonds, etc. Supramolecular chemistry mainly deals with weak, reversible non-covalent bonds. Such bonds include metal coordination, hydrophobic forces, Van der Waals forces, pi-pi interactions, and electrostatic interactions.

Furthermore, there are some advanced chemical concepts that are discussed under supramolecular chemistry. These include molecular self-assembly, molecular folding, molecular recognition, dynamic covalent chemistry, etc. Since this subject area reveals the behaviour of non-covalent interactions, it is very important in understanding many biological processes that rely on these chemical interactions.

When considering the concepts in supramolecular chemistry, the most important branch is the molecular assembly in which we discuss the construction of systems without guidance from an outside source. In other words, this concept explains how molecules are directed to assemble through non-covalent interactions.

Figure 01: An Example of Molecular Assembly

Molecular complexation and recognition is another important area in supramolecular chemistry, which includes the specific binding of a guest molecule to a complementary host molecule, forming a host-guest complex.

What is Molecular Chemistry?

Molecular chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the formation and breakage of chemical bonds between molecules. This subject area comes under molecular science; there are two subject areas under molecular science, molecular chemistry and molecular physics (in which we discuss laws governing the structure and properties of molecules).

According to molecular chemistry, the molecule is a stable system (we call it a bound state) that consists of two or more atoms (polyatomic). Polyatomic ions are considered as charged molecules while the term unstable molecule is used for very reactive species. e.g. short-lived nuclei, radicals, molecular ions, etc.

Figure 02: Ionic Bond Formation

Supramolecular chemistry deals with the interactions between molecules whereas molecular chemistry deals with bonding inside the molecule. There are two types of chemical bonds that can exist inside a molecule; covalent bond and ionic bond.

What is the Difference Between Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Chemistry?

Supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry are two areas of chemistry. The key difference between supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry is that supramolecular chemistry deals with weak, reversible non-covalent interactions between molecules whereas molecular chemistry deals with laws governing the formation and breakage of chemical bonds between molecules.

The following table summarizes the difference between supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry.

Summary – Supramolecular Chemistry vs Molecular Chemistry

Supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry are two areas of chemistry. The key difference between supramolecular chemistry and molecular chemistry is that supramolecular chemistry deals with weak, reversible non-covalent interactions between molecules whereas molecular chemistry deals with the laws governing the formation and breakage of chemical bonds between molecules.

Reference:

1. “Supramolecular Assembly Lehn” By M stone at the English language Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “NaF” By Wdcf – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Image Courtesy:

1. “Molecule.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2020, Available here.

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