Noncovalent Interactions

A non-covalent contact in chemistry varies from a covalent bond in that it includes more diffused types of electromagnetic interactions between molecules or inside a single molecule rather than the exchange of electrons. The chemical energy generated during the creation of non-covalent contacts normally ranges between 1 and 5 kcal/mol. Different kinds of non-covalent interactions exist, including electrostatic, -effects, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic effects. Large molecules like proteins and nucleic acids require non-covalent interactions to preserve their three-dimensional structure. Additionally, they participate in several biological processes where big molecules temporarily yet specifically connect to one another. Drug design, crystallinity, and material design, notably for self-assembly, are also significantly influenced by these interactions.