Issue 15, 2015

The n → π* interaction: a rapidly emerging non-covalent interaction

Abstract

This perspective describes the current status of a recently discovered non-covalent interaction named as the n → π* interaction, which is very weak and counterintuitive in nature. In this review, we have provided a brief overview of the widespread presence of this interaction in biomacromolecules, small biomolecules and materials, as well as the physical nature of this interaction explored using various experimental and theoretical techniques. It has been found that this interaction is equally important to other non-covalent interactions for the stability and specific structures of biomolecules and materials. An in-depth understanding of this interaction can help in designing more efficient functional materials as well as drugs. The review also provides a future outlook in terms of exploring the detailed functional role of this interaction in biological processes and its direct spectroscopic evidence, which other commonly known non-covalent interactions (conventional hydrogen bonding, π-hydrogen bonding, π-stacking, etc.) have.

Graphical abstract: The n → π* interaction: a rapidly emerging non-covalent interaction

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
28 Nov 2014
Accepted
03 Mar 2015
First published
03 Mar 2015
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015,17, 9596-9612

The n → π* interaction: a rapidly emerging non-covalent interaction

S. K. Singh and A. Das, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 9596 DOI: 10.1039/C4CP05536E

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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