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A collaborative research team from Kanazawa University and Kyoto University reports in the Journal of the American Chemical Society the successful visualization of how densely assembled macrocyclic host molecules cooperatively capture guest molecules on a surface. Using two advanced atomic force microscopy (AFM)^（※2） techniques, the team directly observed host–guest complex^（※1） formation as well as reversible association–dissociation dynamics at the single-molecule level.

The study reveals that when one macrocyclic molecule captures a guest molecule, this event influences neighboring host molecules and promotes further guest capture. This cooperative behavior emerges only when the host molecules are densely assembled on a surface. The findings provide new insight into how surface-confined molecular interactions give rise to cooperative behavior and could contribute to the design of next-generation chemical sensors, separation systems, and storage materials.

The results of this study were published in the online edition of “Journal of the American Chemical Society“ on May 20, 2026 (Open access). This article was made Open Access with support from the Kanazawa University 2026 Open Access Promotion APC Support Program.

^{Figure: Atomic force microscopy observation of cooperative guest capture by densely
assembled macrocyclic host molecules on a substrate at the single-molecule level.}

【Glossary】

*1  Host–guest chemistry
A molecular assembly process in which a host molecule with a cavity or internal space selectively captures a guest molecule with a compatible shape and properties. Similar to a key fitting into a lock, this molecular fit enables selective recognition and capture.

*2  Atomic force microscopy
A microscopy technique that uses an atomically sharpened tip to observe structural changes on material surfaces.

Click here to see the press release.【Japanese only】
Journal : Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI：10.1021/jacs.6c00891
Researcher Information : Hitoshi Asakawa