Molecular interactions are the attractive and repulsive forces that govern how atoms and molecules associate, recognize one another, and assemble into larger structures, underlying both chemical reactivity and the organization of materials and biological systems. They include covalent bonding and a spectrum of non-c…
Molecular interactions are the attractive and repulsive forces that govern how atoms and molecules associate, recognize one another, and assemble into larger structures, underlying both chemical reactivity and the organization of materials and biological systems. They include covalent bonding and a spectrum of non-covalent forces such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and ionic interactions, van der Waals contacts, and hydrophobic effects, which collectively determine molecular conformation, stability, and binding affinity. In chemistry and materials science, these interactions are probed through spectroscopic methods, including vibrational, ultraviolet, and Raman techniques, and interpreted with quantum mechanical computations such as density functional theory and natural bond orbital analysis to relate electronic structure to observed properties. Molecular docking and computational modeling predict how ligands fit and interact with target molecules, informing drug discovery and the design of functional compounds. Molecular interactions also dictate the self-assembly and stability of supramolecular systems and materials such as polymerizable liposomes, where intermolecular forces influence thermal behavior, physical integrity, and photoactivity. In biological contexts the same principles drive protein folding, enzyme-substrate recognition, and macromolecular complex formation. Research in this area combines experimental spectra with theoretical calculation to characterize binding, electronic distribution, and structural stability, providing a mechanistic basis for understanding reactivity, designing materials, and developing therapeutics across chemistry and the molecular life sciences.
7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 7 articles above have been cited 34 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Molecular Interactions, linking to each citing work.