Self-assembly

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-010703",
  "term": "Self-assembly",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The spontaneous and reversible organization of disordered components, such as molecules or macromolecules, into ordered, stable structures without external guidance. This process is driven by the sum of specific, non-covalent interactions between the components, including hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, and van der Waals forces. Examples in chemistry include the formation of micelles from surfactants above the critical micelle concentration and the folding of polypeptide chains into functional proteins.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "molecular recognition"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 502 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/self-assembly/"
}