Term: self-assembly
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08206

Definition:
Process whereby a system of single-molecule components spontaneously forms an organized structure, owing to molecular recognition.

Link: 
Related Term: molecular recognition (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08187).

Source: PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 502 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)

Citation: 'self-assembly' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08206

License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms.

Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.