Probing molecular self-assembly by hyper-Rayleigh scattering in solution

The formation of a noncovalent self-assembly of melamine and cyanuric acid is probed by the hyper-Rayleigh scattering technique. It is shown that the intensity of the scattered second harmonic light in solution increases significantly as the 1:1 complex of melamine and cyanuric acid is formed. Both the formation and destabilization of the hydrogen-bonded complex between these two molecules can easily be monitored by this technique.