Ligandummez

Ligandummez is a term used in theoretical and speculative chemistry to describe a class of ligands that can modulate their binding strength and geometry in response to external cues, enabling programmable assembly of molecular complexes.

Origin and etymology: The name combines ligandum from Latin ligare “to bind” with mez, a suffix introduced in thought experiments to denote a modulatory element. The concept appears in contemporary discussions of dynamic and adaptive ligands.

In proposed models, ligandummez ligands show properties such as cooperative binding, reversible conformational changes, and energy landscapes with multiple states. Stimuli may include light, changes in pH, redox potential, or mechanical force, allowing switchable coordination networks.

Status and use: There are no published experimental demonstrations of ligandummez to date; it remains a conceptual construct used in teaching, computer simulations, and theoretical design studies. Critics note the gap between idealized models and practical synthesis, and emphasize the challenges of achieving reliable, scalable implementation in real systems.

Related concepts include ligand design, dynamic covalent chemistry, and responsive supramolecular systems.