Diamondoid Molecules

Abstract

In this review paper we introduce at first the cage nature of diamondoid molecules, the variety of their crystalline lattice structures, the nature of their structural isomers, their stereoisomers, and their other molecular specificities. The natural occurrence of diamondoids in petroleum fluids and how they come to be present in such fluids is introduced. Field experiences of phase transitions and depositions as well as techniques for separation, detection and measurement of diamondoids from petroleum fluids is presented and discussed. It is demonstrated that due to their six or more linking groups diamondoids have found major applications as templates and as molecular building blocks in polymers synthesis, nanotechnology, drug delivery, drug targeting, DNA directed assembly, DNA-amino acid nanostructure formation and in host-guest chemistry.