Executive Summary : | The bridge between what we call as 'Living' and what we call as 'non-living' is still hidden behind a cloud of mist. However, based on the tremendous development in the field of chemistry and biology, we are currently at a vantage point to venture more into a new territory called 'Systems chemistry' and 'Systems biology', where we aim to unravel the mysteries that lie hidden behind this mist of theories related to the origin of life from simple molecules. Here, the next ‘Big’ problem is the development of complex chemical networks and supramolecular systems that show emergent properties, i.e. properties that extend beyond the individual characteristics of the constituents present in that system. The present research proposal is aimed to design ‘emergent’ nano tubular systems based on dynamic covalent bonds (covalent organic nanotubes; CONs), which reside in an out-of-equilibrium state. The CONs are known to form double helical fibres as well as toroidal superstructures upon ultrasonication. Presently the synthesis of the CONs has been optimized under thermodynamic conditions. Through this proposal, we aim to synthesize emergent nanostructures e.g., catenanes and polycatenane based superstructures under chemical fuel-controlled out-of-equilibrium conditions using ultrasound irradiation. It is envisioned that the proposed project might open new research avenues in the field of systems chemistry, and in the development of materials with emergent properties, etc. |