Jean-Marie Lehn

Lehn designed cryptands — three-dimensional macrocyclic hosts that selectively encapsulate metal cations — and generalized this molecular recognition into the concept of supramolecular chemistry: chemistry beyond the molecule, based on noncovalent interactions. The cryptate complexes greatly enhanced the selectivity and stability of cation binding and transport. Shared with Donald Cram and Charles Pedersen, the prize recognized the development of molecules with structure-specific, highly selective interactions.