Self-assembly is a process where molecules spontaneously form organized structures without external guidance. Lehn's work has shown that self-assembly can be harnessed to create highly organized and functional catalytic systems. For instance, self-assembled structures can serve as scaffolds that bring reactants into close proximity, thereby enhancing the rate and selectivity of catalytic reactions. This principle is particularly useful in the design of heterogeneous catalysts, where the arrangement of active sites can significantly impact catalytic performance.
