(part of Steps Toward Molecular Manufacturing)

- functional group classification:


The functional groups on MBBs will have to be of two different categories, the link-forming and the decorational types. One reason why it is advantageous to make this distinction is because "ordinary" decorational functional groups like hydroxyl-, amino-, or carboxylic acid-groups do not supply any special provision for bond-forming chemistry of the type which is needed here. The desirable chemistry will be further discussed below. The other reason has to do with the nature of rastered geometry to which one should adhere. If a regular lattice is made up of MBBs all having the same skeleton structure, then always the same functionalization sites on the skeletons will be consumed by the attached links. But aside from these link-forming functionalities, one will want to have additional functional groups that are freely assignable and placeable for decorational purposes, like for participation in a receptor site.



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last updated Oct. 5 1996
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