Supramolecular architectures generated by self-assembly of guanosine derivatives

Nature's use of a simple genetic code to enable life's complex functions is an inspiration for supramolecular chemistry. DNA nucleobases carry the key information utilizing a variety of cooperative and non-covalent interactions such as hydrophobic, van der Waals, pi-pi stacking, ion-dipole and hydrogen bonding. This tutorial review describes some recent advances in the form and function provided by self-assembly of guanine (G) based systems. We attempt to make connections between the structures of the assemblies and their properties. The review begins with a brief historical context of G self-assembly in water and then describes studies on lipophilic guanosine analogs in organic solvents. The article also focuses on examples of how G analogs have been used as building blocks for functional applications in supramolecular chemistry, material science and nanotechnology.     

Supramolecular ribbons from amphiphilic trisamides self-assembly

Two amphiphilic C(3)-symmetric OPE-based trisamides have been synthesized and their self-assembling features investigated in solution and on surface. Variable-temperature UV-vis experiments demonstrate the cooperative supramolecular polymerization of these trisamides that self-assemble by the operation of triple C═O···H-N H-bonding arrays between the amide functional groups and π-π stacking between the aromatic units. The helical organization of the aggregates has been demonstrated by circular dichroism at a concentration as low as 1 × 10(-4) M in acetonitrile. In the reported trisamides, the large hydrophobic aromatic core acts as a solvophobic module impeding the interaction between the polar TEG chains and the amide H-bonds. This strategy makes unnecessary the separation of the amide functional groups to the polar tri(ethylene glycol) chains by paraffinic fragments. Achiral trisamide 1 self-assembles into flat ribbon-like structures that experience an amplification of chirality by the addition of a small amount of chiral 2 that generates twisted stripes.     

Supramolecular helical columns from the self-assembly of chiral rods

Chiral-bridged rod molecules (CBRs) that consisted of bis(penta-p-phenylene) conjugated to an opened or closed chiral bridging group as a rigid segment and oligoether dendrons as flexible segments were synthesized and characterized. In the bulk state, both molecules self-assemble into a hexagonal columnar structure, as confirmed by X-ray scatterings and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. Interestingly, these structures display opposite Cotton effects in the chromophore of the aromatic unit in spite of the same chirality (R,R) of the chiral bridging groups. The molecules were observed to self-assemble into cylindrical micellar aggregates in aqueous solution, as confirmed by light scattering and TEM investigations, and exhibit intense signals in the circular dichroism (CD) spectra, which are indicative of one-handed helical conformations. The CD spectra of each molecule showed opposite signals to each other, which were similar to those in the bulk. Notably, when the opened CBR was added to a solution of closed CBRs up to a certain concentration, the CD signal of the closed CBR was amplified. This implies that both molecules co-assemble into a one-handed helical structure because the opened chiral bridge is conformationally flexible, which is inverted to co-assemble with the closed CBR. These results demonstrate that small structural modifications of the chiral moiety can transfer the chiral information to a supramolecular assembly in the opposite way.     

Supramolecular helical fluid columns from self-assembly of homomeric dipeptides

Herein, we demonstrate that with the widespread theme of residue patterning and stereochemical restraints of self-complimenting proteinogenic amino acids, a new and rich class of homomeric dipeptides exhibiting two-dimensional fluid aggregates with hierarchical ordering can be obtained. In particular, a simple way of achieving a class of functional dipeptides, wherein the first and the second residues chosen are L-/D-alanines and L-/D-leucines, has been accomplished. The supramolecules synthesized can be regarded as intermediates between polycatenars and taper-shaped amphiphiles because they possess two lipophilic segments interlinked by a peptide unit (spacer). Two pairs of enantiomers and their respective diastereomers derived from these amino acids are evidenced to self-organize into a helical columnar phase through hydrogen bonding by means of FTIR, UV/Vis, and chiroptical circular dichroism (CD) spectral analyses as well as by optical, calorimetric, electrical switching, and X-ray studies. The CD and X-ray studies have revealed that the form chirality (handedness) and the magnitude of out-of-plane fluctuations of the lattice planes of the fluid supramolecular columnar structures are solely directed by the stereochemistry encoded in the spacer. Of special significance, the less frequently found oblique helical columnar phase formed by a pair of enantiomers derived from L-/D-alanines, unlike those derived from other amino acids, exhibit ferroelectric behavior; the measured spontaneous polarization is as high as 440 nC cm(-2). Besides, all these supramolecules form stable organogels in ethanol and the CD and SEM studies on a representative gel suggest the presence of helical structures.     

Supramolecular reactor from self-assembly of rod-coil molecule in aqueous environment

We synthesized an amphiphilic coil-rod-coil triblock molecule consisting of hexa-p-phenylene as a rod block and poly(ethylene oxide) with the number of repeating units of 17 as coil blocks and investigated aggregation behavior in aqueous environment. The rod-coil molecule was observed to aggregate into discrete micelles consisting of hydrophobic disklike rod bundles encapsulated by hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) coils. The aromatic bundles of the micelles were demonstrated to be used as an efficient supramolecular reactor for the room temperature Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of a wide range of aryl halides, including even aryl chlorides with phenylboronic acids in aqueous environment. These results demonstrate that self-assembly of amphiphilic rod-coil molecules can provide a useful strategy to construct an efficient supramolecular reactor for aromatic coupling reaction.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of conjugated diblock copolymers

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel series of copolymers with different lengths of oligo(phenylene vinylene) (OPV) as the rod block, and poly(propylene oxide) as the coil block. Detailed characterization by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed the strong tendency of these copolymers to self-assemble into cylindrical micelles in solution and as-casted films on a nanometer scale. These micelles have a cylindrical OPV core surrounded by a poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) corona and readily align with each other to form parallel packed structures when mica is used as the substrate. A packing model has been proposed for these cylindrical micelles.     

Rhenium complexes with triazine derivatives formed from semicarbazones and thiosemicarbazones

Benzil bis(semicarbazone), H2L(1), reacts with common rhenium(V) nitrido complexes such as [ReNCl2(PPh3)2] or [ReNCl2(PR2Ph)3] (R = Me, Et) under the release of one semicarbazone unit, cyclization, and formation of stable triazine-3-onato complexes of rhenium(V). The resulting 5,6-diphenyltriazine-3-one, HL (2), acts as monodentate or chelating, monoanionic ligand depending on the reaction conditions applied. Complexes of the compositions [ReNCl(L(2)-kappaN(2),kappaO)(PR2Ph)2] (R = Me, Et) or [ReN(L(2)-kappa N(2),O)(L(2)-kappaN(2))(PPh3)2] were isolated. The N(2) nitrogen atom is the preferred binding site of the monodentate form of the ligand. This contrasts the behavior of the analogous thione HL(3), which preferably coordinates to nitridorhenium(V) centers via the sulfur atom. HL(3) is readily formed by the abstraction of methanol from 5-methoxy-5,6-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-2H-[1,2,4]triazine-3-thione, H2L(3)OCH 3. In the presence of [ReNCl2(PPh3)2] or [ReNCl2(PR2Ph)3] complexes (R = Me, Et), this reaction yields stable complexes of the composition [ReN(L(3)-kappaN(2),kappaS)(L(3)-kappaS)(PR2Ph)2] (R = Me, Et, Ph) in good yields. Reduction of the metal atom and formation of the seven-coordinate [Re(PPh3)(L(3)-kappaN(2),kappaS)3] was observed during reactions of H2L(3)OCH3 with [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] or [ReO2I(PPh3)2], while no rhenium complexes could be isolated during similar reactions with H2L(1), although cyclization of the bis(semicarbazone) and the formation of H 2L(2)OEt were observed.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of polypseudorotaxanes in ionic liquid

The polypseudorotaxanes (PPRs) have been prepared by supramolecular self-assembly of β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) threaded onto the triblock copolymers (Pluronic F127) in an ionic liquid [1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (bmimPF₆)] with two different manners. Structural characterizations of the assembled PPRs are carried out in detail respectively with XRD, ¹³C CP/MAS NMR, ¹H NMR and DSC techniques. The results obtained indicate a channel-type crystalline structure for such produced inclusion complexes (ICs). Which one will finally be included inside β-CD, F127 or bmimPF₆, is related to the ethanol amount around the initially β-CD/bmimPF₆ ICs. At higher ethanol concentration, F127 may squeeze bmimPF₆ molecules out from β-CD and thread themselves instead into the cavity of β-CD and finally precipitate with more CDs being stacked.     

Supramolecular helices via self-assembly of 8-oxoguanosines

The cooperative effect of solvophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding has been exploited to self-assemble supramolecular helical architectures of 8-oxoguanosines in different environments. This self-assembly into helical structures is completely different from that of the parent guanosines which, in the same experimental conditions, form flat, ribbonlike structures. While optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction suggest a chiral columnar aggregate in the LC phase, NMR and Circular Dichroism reveal the presence of a helical structures in solution. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy made it possible to visualize hexagonally arranged G-quartets on graphite, which are sections of the helices packed with their long axis perpendicular to the basal plane of the substrate. Due to their rectifying electrical properties, such helices are interesting for fabricating (opto)electronic biodevices.     

Supramolecular architectures of beta-cyclodextrin-modified chitosan and pyrene derivatives mediated by carbon nanotubes and their DNA condensation

Beta-cyclodextrin-modified chitosan 1 was synthesized via the Schiff base reaction between 6-O-(4-formylphenyl)-beta-cyclodextrin and chitosan (CHIT), and then the supramolecular dyad assemblies 2 and 3 were respectively fabricated from the subunit 1 through the inclusion of adamantane-modified pyrene into the beta-cyclodextrin cavity and the wrapping of a CHIT chain on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The water-soluble dyad 3 further interacted with adamantane-modified pyrene, forming a stable triad assembly 4. They were extensively characterized by NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-vis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Furthermore, the DNA condensation abilities of 1-4 were validated by AFM and dynamic light scattering, which indicates that the DNA-condensing capability of CHIT can be pronouncedly improved by either the pyrene grafts or the MWCNT medium. The cooperation between cationic and aromatic groups as well as the dispersion of CHIT agglomerates by MWCNTs are the key factors to enhance DNA condensation of cationic polymers.     

Hierarchical self-assembly of organic prolate nanospheroids from hydrophobic rosette nanotubes

Supramolecular synthesis emerged recently as a new formalism to devise complex architectures held through noncovalent forces. Much of the research endeavor has been devoted to the use of H-bonds as the alphabet for chemical information encoding, and the structures expressed have spanned the range of dimensions and shapes, from discrete to infinite networks. Here we describe the synthesis and characterization of a GwedgeC base bearing two C12 alkyl chains, which undergoes a solvent-controlled multistep hierarchical self-assembly process into lamellar prolate nanospheroids. These assemblies were characterized by AFM, SEM, TEM, XRD, and SAXS, and a mechanism for their formation is proposed.     

Strategies for protecting and manipulating triazine derivatives

Aminotriazine derivatives are available in two steps by treating chlorotriazines with acid-labile benzylic amines including triphenylmethylamine, diphenylmethylamine, and 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl-amine (Dmb-amine), followed by deprotection using trifluoroacetic acid. This high yielding (85-99%) protocol is a milder alternative to the traditional method that uses ammonia and high temperature as a route to aminotriazine derivatives. The nucleophilic substitution reaction that installs the benzylic amine on monochlorotriazine herbicide derivatives may be performed using conventional heating. Alternatively, a microwave reactor can be used to decrease the reaction times 100-fold. The intermediates in these syntheses are soluble in a range of organic solvents and amenable to chromatography. In some cases when dimethoxybenzyl groups are used, oligomerization of the dimethoxybenzyl side product upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid yields a precipitate that facilitates purification by simple filtration.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of multiblock copolymers in aqueous solution

A unique pH-dependent phase behavior from a copolymer micellar solution to a collapsed hydrogel with micelles ordered in a hexagonal phase was observed. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to follow the pH-dependent structural evolution of micelles formed in a solution of a pentablock copolymer consisting of poly((diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-b-(ethylene oxide)-b-(propylene oxide)-b-(ethylene oxide)-b-(diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)) (PDEAEM25-b-PEO100-b-PPO65-b-PEO100-b-PDEAEM25). Between pH 3.0 and pH 7.4, we observed the presence of charged spherical micelles. Increasing the pH of the micelle solution above pH 7.4 resulted in increasing the size of the micelles due to the increasing hydrophobicity of the PDEAEM blocks above their pKa of 7.6. The increase in size of the spherical micelles resulted in a transition to a cylindrical micelle morphology in the pH range 8.1-10.5, and at pH >11, the copolymer solution undergoes macroscopic phase separation. Indeed, the phase separated copolymer sediments and coalesces into a hydrogel structure that consists of 25-35 wt % water. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) clearly indicated that the hydrogel has a hexagonal ordered phase. Interestingly, the process is reversible, as lowering of the pH below 7.0 leads to rapid dissolution of the solid into homogeneous solution. We believe that the hexagonal structure in the hydrogel is a result of the organization of the cylindrical micelles due to the increased hydrophobic interactions between the micelles at 70 degrees C and pH 11. Thus we have developed a pH-/temperature-dependent, reversible hierarchically self-assembling block copolymer system with structures spanning nano- to microscale dimensions.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of mixed f-d metal ion conjugates

[reaction: see text] The synthesis of the novel Eu(III) cyclen complex, Eu1, is described. In buffered pH 7.4 water, the Eu(III) emission was "switched on" upon excitation of the Terpy antenna. In the presence of various transition-metal ions (e.g., Fe(II) and Ni(II)), both the singlet-excited state and the Eu(III) emission were quenched ("switched off"), whereas in the ground state, an MLCT band was formed, signifying the formation of stable mixed linear trimetallic f-d supramolecular self-assemblies.     

Supramolecular assemblies of organogelators featuring benzimidazole and long-chain pyridine dicarboxyamide

Two organogelators, CO-01 and CO-03 , featuring benzimidazole and long-chain pyridine carboxyamide groups were prepared and their physical properties were fully explored. CO-01 and CO-03 are capable of transforming various organic solvents to organogels. The morphologic investigations of these organogels have shown that the supramolecular assemblies, in the forms of fibers and spheres, are readily generated from the aggregates of CO-01 and CO-03 . The sol–gel interconversion can be readily achieved by tuning the gelator concentration and temperature. By manipulating the redox state of anthraquinone group in CO-03 , the gel–sol transition for the organogels of CO-03 can be reversibly tuned by either chemical or electrochemical oxidation/reduction reactions. The presence of polarized imidazole and amide N–H groups allows anion-induced gel collapse. The accompanying colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent responses of gels CO-01 and CO-03 to F⁻ and CN⁻ render these organogelators being sensitive and selective anion probes.     

Supramolecular self-assembly induced graphene oxide based hydrogels and organogels

We demonstrate the construction of three-dimensional graphene oxide based gel networks through the self-assembly of a series of amphiphilic molecules, which possess a polar carbohydrate headgroup attached to a nonpolar pyrene group. The gelation process can occur in both aqueous and organic solutions and be influenced by the gelators' molecular structure. The driving forces for the gelation process were determined as π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding interaction by using fluorescence and infrared spectroscopies. Rheometry was used to investigate the mechanical properties of the hydrogels and the organogels. The hydrogel was investigated to be applied to remove dye from aqueous solution.