Coordination‐Driven Folding and Assembly of a Short Peptide into a Protein‐like Two‐Nanometer‐Sized Channel

Short peptide helices have attracted attention as suitable building blocks for soft functional materials, but they are rarely seen in crystalline materials. A new artificial nanoassembly of short peptide helices in the crystalline state is presented in which peptide helices are arranged three‐dimensionally by metal coordination. The folding and assembly processes of a short peptide ligand containing the Gly‐Pro‐Pro sequence were induced by silver(I) coordination in aqueous alcohol, and gave rise to a single crystal composed of polyproline II helices. Crystallographic studies revealed that this material possesses two types of unique helical nanochannel; the larger channel measures more than 2 nm in diameter. Guest uptake properties were investigated by soaking the crystals in polar solutions of guest molecules; anions, organic chiral molecules, and bio‐oligomers are effectively encapsulated by this peptide‐folded porous crystal, with moderate to high chiral recognition for chiral molecules.     

Peptide [4]Catenane by Folding and Assembly

A topologically complex peptide [4]catenane with the crossing number of 12 was synthesized by a folding and assembly strategy wherein the folding and metal‐directed self‐assembly of a short peptide fragment occur simultaneously. The latent Ω‐looped conformation of the Pro‐Gly‐Pro sequence was found only when pyridines at the C‐ and N‐termini coordinatively bind metal ions (Ag^I or Au^I). Crystallographic studies revealed that the Ω‐looped motifs formed four M₃L₃ macrocycles that were intermolecularly entwined to generate an unprecedented peptide [4]catenane topology.     

Remote Control of the Planar Chirality in Peptide‐Bound Metallomacrocycles and Dynamic‐to‐Static Planar Chirality Control Triggered by Solvent‐Induced 310‐to‐α‐Helix Transitions

The dynamic planar chirality in a peptide‐bound Ni^II‐salphen‐based macrocycle can be remotely controlled. First, a right‐handed (P)‐3₁₀‐helix is induced in the dynamic helical oligopeptides by a chiral amino acid residue far from the macrocyclic framework. The induced planar chirality remains dynamic in chloroform and acetonitrile, but is almost completely locked in fluoroalcohols as a result of the solvent‐induced transition of the peptide chains from a 3₁₀‐helix to a wider α‐helix, which freezes the rotation of the pendant peptide units around the macrocycle.     

N‐(tert‐Butoxycarbonyl)‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐α‐aminoisobutyric acid methyl ester: two polymorphic forms in the space group P21/n

The title compound (systematic name: methyl 2‐{2‐[(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)amino]‐2‐methylpropanamido}‐2‐methylpropanoate), C₁₄H₂₆N₂O₅, (I), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n in two polymorphic forms, each with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The molecular conformation is essentially the same in both polymorphs, with the α‐aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) residues adopting ϕ and ψ values characteristic of α‐helical and mixed 3₁₀‐ and α‐helical conformations. The helical handedness of the C‐terminal residue (Aib2) is opposite to that of the N‐terminal residue (Aib1). In contrast to (I), the closely related peptide Boc‐Aib‐Aib‐OBn (Boc is tert‐butoxycarbonyl and Bn is benzyl) adopts an α_L‐P_II backbone conformation (or the mirror image conformation). Compound (I) forms hydrogen‐bonded parallel β‐sheet‐like tapes, with the carbonyl groups of Aib1 and Aib2 acting as hydrogen‐bond acceptors. This seems to represent an unusual packing for a protected dipeptide containing at least one α,α‐disubstituted residue.     

Thermosensitive gel formation of novel polypeptides containing a collagen‐derived Pro‐Hyp‐Gly sequence and an elastin‐derived Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly sequence

A triple‐helix‐forming collagen model peptide, (prolyl‐trans‐4‐hydroxyprolyl‐glycyl)₁₀ [(Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)₁₀], and a thermosensitive elastin‐derived pentapeptide, valyl‐prolyl‐glycyl‐valyl‐glycyl (Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly), were copolymerized in various mole ratios using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐carbodiimide hydrochloride and 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole in dimethyl sulfoxide at 20 °C. All of the obtained polypeptides have molecular weight higher than 10³ and contain a triple‐helical structure, and showed an inverse phase transition from transparent solution to turbid suspension in response to a rise in temperature. The lower critical solution temperature of the polypeptide solution decreased upon increasing the content of Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly. Furthermore, polypeptides containing 82–86 mol % of Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly in composition showed reversible gel formation, suggesting that (Pro‐Hyp‐Gly)₁₀ acts as a hydrated unit and Val‐Pro‐Gly‐Val‐Gly acts as a thermosensitive crosslinking point. These biodegradable thermosensitive polypeptides may be useful for biomedical applications, including, as a scaffold for tissue regeneration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 6048–6056, 2005     

Self‐assembly of a Linear Ni9 Triple‐helical Supramolecule with Dominant Ferromagnetic Interactions

A linear triple‐helical supramolecule Ni₉ L ₆ has been prepared through a controllable self‐assembly approach using 1,3‐bis‐(3‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropionyl)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylbenzene (H₃ L ) and Ni(OAc)₂ under solvothermal conditions. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis confirms the axial C₃ symmetrical helical structure of the product and the temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility corresponds to a typical shape of a paramagnet showing dominant ferromagnetic exchange couplings between the neighboring Ni^II ions.     

Gold‐Decorated Chiral Macroporous Films by the Self‐Assembly of Functionalised Block Copolymers

We describe a new and very versatile method to place chosen chemical functionalities at the edge of the pores of macroporous materials. The method is based on the synthesis and self‐assembly of inorganic block copolymers (BCPs) having chiral rigid segments bearing controllable quantities of randomly distributed functional groups. The synthesis of a series of optically active block copolyphosphazenes (PP) with the general formula [N?P(R‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂)_0.9(FG)_0.2]_n‐b‐[N?PMePh]_m (FG=‐OC₅H₄N ( 6 ), ‐NC₄H₈S ( 7 ), and ‐NC₄H₈O ( 8 )), was accomplished by the sequential living cationic polycondensation of N‐silylphosphoranimines, using the mono‐end‐capped initiator [Ph₃P?N?PCl₃][Cl] ( 3 ). The self‐assembly of the phosphazene BCPs 6 – 8 led to chiral porous films. The functionality present on those polymers affected their self‐assembly behaviour resulting in the formation of pores of different diameters (D_n=111 ( 6 ), 53 ( 7 ) and 77 nm ( 8 )). The specific functionalisation of the pores was proven by decorating the films with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Thus, the BCPs 6 and 7 , having pyridine and thiomorpholine groups, respectively, were treated with HAuCl₄, followed by reduction with NaBH₄, yielding a new type of block copolyphosphazenes, which self‐assembled into chiral porous films specifically decorated with AuNPs at the edge of the pores.     

N‐(tert‐Butoxycarbonyl)‐O‐allyl‐l‐seryl‐α‐aminoisobutyryl‐l‐valine methyl ester: a protected tripeptide with an allylated serine residue

The title compound [systematic name (6S,12S)‐methyl 6‐(allyloxymethyl)‐12‐isopropyl‐2,2,9,9‐tetramethyl‐4,7,10‐trioxo‐3‐oxa‐5,8,11‐triazatridecan‐13‐oate], C₂₁H₃₇N₃O₇, containing the little studied O‐allyl‐l ‐serine residue [Ser(All)], crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The compound is an analogue of the Ser140‐Val142 segment of the water channel aquaporin‐4 (AQP4). It forms a distorted type‐II β‐turn with a P_II–3_10L–P_II backbone conformation (P_II is polyproline II). The overall backbone conformation is markedly different from that of the CO(Pro139)–Val142 stretch of rat AQP4, but is quite similar to the corresponding segment of human AQP4, despite significant differences at the level of the individual residues. The side chain of the Ser(All) residue adopts a gauche conformation relative to the backbone CO—C^α and C^α—N bonds. The H atoms of the two CH₂ groups in the Ser(All) side chain are almost eclipsed. The crystal packing of the title compound is divided into one‐molecule‐thick layers, each layer having a hydrophilic core and distinct hydrophobic interfaces on either side.     

Chiral crystals from an achiral molecule: 4,6‐di‐O‐benzyl‐1,3‐O‐benzylidene‐2‐O‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)‐myo‐5‐inosose

The title achiral compound, C₃₅H₃₄O₇, crystallizes in the chiral monoclinic space group P2₁. The molecules are densely packed to form a helical assembly along the crystallographic twofold screw axis via C—H...O and C—H...π interactions. Interestingly, the unit‐translated helical chains are loosely connected via a rather uncommon edge‐to‐edge Ph—H...H—Ph short contact (H...H = 2.33 Å).     

Construction of ZnII‐based rac‐Helical Chains Containing Semi‐rigid Dipolar Ligand 1,4‐Bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene

A Zn^II compound based on the semi‐rigid dipolar ligand 1,4‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (L), {[Zn( L )₂Cl₂]·2DMF}_n ( 1 ) has been synthesized successfully under solvothermal conditions. X‐ray single crystal diffraction shows that the complex contains P‐helical and M‐helical chains with 2₁ screw axis but crystallizes as a racemate. Through π···π stacking interactions between two well‐overlapping benzimidazoleyl rings from two adjacent chains, the 3D racemic supramolecular network is assembled. Furthermore, the IR, TGA and luminescent properties are also investigated in this work.     

Clicked Isoreticular Metal–Organic Frameworks and Their High Performance in the Selective Capture and Separation of Large Organic Molecules

Three highly porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a uniform rht‐type topological network but hierarchical pores were successfully constructed by the assembly of triazole‐containing dendritic hexacarboxylate ligands with Zn^II ions. These transparent MOF crystals present gradually increasing pore sizes upon extension of the length of the organic backbone, as clearly identified by structural analysis and gas‐adsorption experiments. The inherent accessibility of the pores to large molecules endows these materials with unique properties for the uptake of large guest molecules. The visible selective adsorption of dye molecules makes these MOFs highly promising porous materials for pore‐size‐dependent large‐molecule capture and separation.     

Synthesis of (1α)‐1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 with a β‐Positioned Seven‐Carbon Side Chain at C(12)

A convergent synthesis of an analogue of (1α)‐1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ ( 1b ) with a C₇ side chain at C(12), i.e., of 5 (Fig.), is described. A key step of the synthesis is the assembly of the triene system by a Pd^II‐catalyzed ring closure of an enol triflate (‘bottom’ fragment) followed by coupling of the resulting Pd^II intermediate with an alkenylboronate (‘upper’ fragment) (Scheme 2). The synthetic strategy allows isotopic labelling at the end of the synthesis.     

Harnessing Bottom‐Up Self‐Assembly To Position Five Distinct Components in an Ordered Porous Framework

Positioning a diverse set of building blocks in a well‐defined array enables cooperativity amongst them and the systematic programming of functional properties. The extension of this concept to porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is challenging since the installation of multiple components in a well‐ordered framework requires careful design of the lattice topology, judicious selection of building blocks, and precise control of the crystallization parameters. Herein, we report how we met these challenges to prepare the first quinary MOF structure, FDM‐8, by bottom‐up self‐assembly from two metals, Zn^II and Cu^I, and three distinct carboxylate‐ and pyrazolate‐based linkers. With a surface area of 3643 m² g^?1, FDM‐8 contains hierarchical pores and shows outstanding methane‐storage capacity at high pressure. Furthermore, functional groups introduced on the linkers became compartmentalized in predetermined arrays in the pores of the FDM‐8 framework.     

“Helix‐in‐Helix” Superstructure Formation through Encapsulation of Fullerene‐Bound Helical Peptides within a Helical Poly(methyl methacrylate) Cavity

A one‐handed 3₁₀‐helical hexapeptide is efficiently encapsulated within the helical cavity of st‐PMMA when a fullerene (C₆₀) derivative is introduced at the C‐terminal end of the peptide. The encapsulation is accompanied by induction of a preferred‐handed helical conformation in the st‐PMMA backbone with the same‐handedness as that of the hexapeptide to form a crystalline st‐PMMA/peptide‐C₆₀ inclusion complex with a unique optically active helix‐in‐helix structure. Although the st‐PMMA is unable to encapsulate the 3₁₀‐helical peptide without the terminal C₆₀ unit, the helical hollow space of the st‐PMMA is almost filled by the C₆₀‐bound peptides. This result suggests that the C₆₀ moiety can serve as a versatile molecular carrier of specific molecules and polymers in the helical cavity of the st‐PMMA for the formation of an inclusion complex, thus producing unique supramolecular soft materials that cannot be prepared by other methods.     

Sponge‐Like Behaviour in Isoreticular Cu(Gly‐His‐X) Peptide‐Based Porous Materials

We report two isoreticular 3D peptide‐based porous frameworks formed by coordination of the tripeptides Gly‐L ‐His‐Gly and Gly‐L ‐His‐L ‐Lys to Cu^II which display sponge‐like behaviour. These porous materials undergo structural collapse upon evacuation that can be reversed by exposure to water vapour, which permits recovery of the original open channel structure. This is further confirmed by sorption studies that reveal that both solids exhibit selective sorption of H₂O while CO₂ adsorption does not result in recovery of the original structures. We also show how the pendant aliphatic amine chains, present in the framework from the introduction of the lysine amino acid in the peptidic backbone, can be post‐synthetically modified to produce urea‐functionalised networks by following methodologies typically used for metal–organic frameworks built from more rigid “classical” linkers.     

Microenvironment‐Induced In Situ Self‐Assembly of Polymer–Peptide Conjugates That Attack Solid Tumors Deeply

In cancer treatment, the unsatisfactory solid‐tumor penetration of nanomaterials limits their therapeutic efficacy. We employed an in vivo self‐assembly strategy and designed polymer–peptide conjugates (PPCs) that underwent an acid‐induced hydrophobicity increase with a narrow pH‐response range (from 7.4 to 6.5). In situ self‐assembly in the tumor microenvironment at appropriate molecular concentrations (around the IC₅₀ values of PPCs) enabled drug delivery deeper into the tumor. A cytotoxic peptide KLAK, decorated with the pH‐sensitive moiety cis‐aconitic anhydride (CAA), and a cell‐penetrating peptide TAT were conjugated onto poly(β‐thioester) backbones to produce PT‐K‐CAA, which can penetrate deeply into solid tumors owing to its small size as a single chain. During penetration in vivo, CAA responds to the weak acid, leading to the self‐assembly of PPCs and the recovery of therapeutic activity. Therefore, a deep‐penetration ability for enhanced cancer therapy is provided by this in vivo assembly strategy.     

A Reduced‐Symmetry Heterobimetallic [PdPtL4]4+ Cage: Assembly,Guest Binding,and Stimulus‐Induced Switching

A strategy is presented that enables the quantitative assembly of a heterobimetallic [PdPtL₄]⁴⁺ cage. The presence of two different metal ions (Pd^II and Pt^II) with differing labilities enables the cage to be opened and closed selectively at one end upon treatment with suitable stimuli. Combining an inert Pt^II tetrapyridylaldehyde complex with a suitably substituted pyridylamine and Pd^II ions led to the assembly of the cage. ¹H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry data were consistent with the quantitative formation of the cage, and the heterobimetallic structure was confirmed using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The structure of the host–guest adduct with a 2,6‐diaminoanthraquinone guest molecule was determined. Addition of N,N′‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) resulted in the formation of the open‐cage [PtL₄]²⁺ compound and [Pd(DMAP)₄]²⁺ complex. This process could then be reversed, with the reformation of the cage, upon addition of p‐toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH).     

Redox‐Controlled Helical Self‐Assembly of a Polyoxometalate Complex

Polyoxometalate (POM) complex (DODA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with a symmetrical linear structure was prepared conveniently by replacing the tetrabutylammonium (TBA) counterions of Lindquist‐type cluster (TBA)₂[Mo₆O₁₉] with cationic surfactant dioctadecyldimethylammonium (DODA). A helical self‐assembled structure of the complex was formed in dichloromethane/propanol. The dynamically reversible transformation between helical and spherical assemblies on alternate UV irradiation and H₂O₂ oxidation was characterized by SEM, TEM, and UV/Vis studies. The redox‐controlled morphology change is modulated by variation of the electrostatic interactions between the inorganic polyanion and the organic cation DODA through controlling the redox properties of the POM component, as shown by the XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic, and ¹H NMR measurements. The strategy applied herein is a unique example of targeted smart and helical assembly of POM complexes.     

2,5‐Bis[4‐methyl‐3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole and its one‐dimensional polymeric complex with ZnCl2

2,5‐Bis[4‐methyl‐3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (L), C₂₆H₂₀N₄O, forms one‐dimensional chains via two types of intermolecular π–π interactions. In catena‐poly[[dichloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐2,5‐bis[4‐methyl‐3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole], [ZnCl₂(C₂₆H₂₀N₄O)]_n, synthesized by the combination of L with ZnCl₂, the Zn^II centres are coordinated by two Cl atoms and two N atoms from two L ligands. [ZnCl₂L]_n forms one‐dimensional P (plus) and M (minus) helical chains, where the L ligand has different directions of twist. The helical chains stack together via interchain π–π and C—H...π interactions.     

Chiral Self‐Discrimination and Guest Recognition in Helicene‐Based Coordination Cages

Chiral nanosized confinements play a major role for enantioselective recognition and reaction control in biological systems. Supramolecular self‐assembly gives access to artificial mimics with tunable sizes and properties. Herein, a new family of [Pd₂L₄] coordination cages based on a chiral [6]helicene backbone is introduced. A racemic mixture of the bis‐monodentate pyridyl ligand L¹ selectively assembles with Pd^II cations under chiral self‐discrimination to an achiral meso cage, cis‐[Pd₂ L^1P ₂ L^1M ₂]. Enantiopure L¹ forms homochiral cages [Pd₂ L^1P/M ₄]. A longer derivative L² forms chiral cages [Pd₂ L^2P/M ₄] with larger cavities, which bind optical isomers of chiral guests with different affinities. Owing to its distinct chiroptical properties, this cage can distinguish non‐chiral guests of different lengths, as they were found to squeeze or elongate the cavity under modulation of the helical pitch of the helicenes. The CD spectroscopic results were supported by ion mobility mass spectrometry.