Noncovalent Interactions

In contrast to a covalent bond, a non-covalent interaction in chemistry involves more dispersed types of electromagnetic interactions between molecules or within a molecule and does not share electrons. A typical range for the chemical energy released during the formation of non-covalent interactions is 1 to 5 kcal/mol. A variety of categories, including electrostatic, -effects, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic effects, can be used to group non-covalent interactions. Large molecules, like proteins and nucleic acids, require non-covalent interactions to maintain their three-dimensional structure. Furthermore, they participate in numerous biological processes where big molecules temporarily but specifically bind to one another. Drug design, crystallinity, and material design, particularly for self-assembly, are all significantly influenced by these interactions.