template
(rus. темплат otherwise матрица; шаблон; темплейт)
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a particle or a structure that provides pre-organisation of the synthesis and formation of supramolecular complexes or nanostructures.
Description
A template organizes low-molecular substances around itself due to different intermolecular interactions and leads to the formation of an ordered complex of nano- or supramolecular structures. An example of a template is a single-stranded DNA molecule, which combines with a second DNA molecule through the complementarity principle, forming a double helix. After the interaction, the template can either make up a part of the forming complex or stay out of the complex. Various particles can act as templates: alkali metal ions (template effect), organic molecules, macromolecules and complex space structures. Templates play a critical role in self-assembly.
Author
- Eremin Vadim V.
Source
- Steed J. W., Atwood J. L. Supramolecular Chemistry. 2nd Ed. — J. Wiley & Sons: Chichester, 2009. — 745 pp.