From engineering crystals to engineering molecules: emergent consequences of controlling reactivity in the solid state using linear templates

Molecules that function as linear templates provide a means to organize two molecules, using the principles of molecular recognition and self-assembly, for a bimolecular reaction. The design and application of linear templates in order to direct reactivity in organic solids, particularly [2 + 2] photoreactivity, is outlined. The linear templates provide control of solid-state reactivity such that it is possible, in a similar way to the liquid phase, to conduct molecular synthesis by design.