Self-assembly of an alkylated guanosine derivative into ordered supramolecular nanoribbons in solution and on solid surfaces

We report on the synthesis and self-assembly of a guanosine derivative bearing an alkyloxy side group under different environmental conditions. This derivative was found to spontaneously form ordered supramolecular nanoribbons in which the individual nucleobases are interacting through H-bonds. In toluene and chloroform solutions the formation of gel-like liquid-crystalline phases was observed. Sub-molecularly resolved scanning tunneling microscopic imaging of monolayers physisorbed at the graphite-solution interface revealed highly ordered two-dimensional networks. The recorded intramolecular contrast can be ascribed to the electronic properties of the different moieties composing the molecule, as proven by quantum-chemical calculations. This self-assembly behavior is in excellent agreement with that of 5'-O-acylated guanosines, which are also characterized by a self-assembled motif of guanosines that resembles parallel ribbons. Therefore, for guanosine derivatives (without sterically demanding groups on the guanine base) the formation of supramolecular nanoribbons in solution, in the solid state, and on flat surfaces is universal. This result is truly important in view of the electronic properties of these supramolecular anisotropic architectures and thus for potential applications in the fields of nano- and opto-electronics.     

A supramolecular optic receptor for selective recognition CDP in neutral aqueous solution

We designed and synthesized a Cu-coordination complex based on a seven-membered amide cycle and studied its binding ability with nucleotides (cytidine 5′-monophosphate (CMP), cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), cytidine 5′-triphosphate (CTP), cytidine d-5′-monophosphate (dCMP), and thymidine d-5′-monophosphate (dTMP)) by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results indicate that the compound shows the highest binding ability with CDP among the studied nucleotides and can selectively and strongly bind nucleotides in neutral aqueous solution. The compound can be used as optical receptor for the detection of CDP.     

Self-complementary tetradeoxyribonucleoside triphosphates convenient chemical preparation and spectroscopic studies in solution

Eight kinds of self-complementary tetradeoxyribonucleoside triphosphates were prepared by a simplified method which enabled us to omit purification of synthetic intermediates and provided the tetramers very rapidly and conveniently. The tetramers were characterized by enzyme assay and their conformations were studied by the use of UV and CD spectroscopic methods under various conditions. The detailed analysis of the CD spectra suggested that conformation of the tetramer duplexes was dependent on the sequence.     

Calixarene-based supramolecular polymerization in solution

Calixarenes are one kind of phenol-formaldehyde cyclic oligomers, discovered from the Bakelite process. Their intrinsic characteristics, including the unique structural scaffold, facile modification and adjustable inclusion property, show pronounced potential for supramolecular polymerization. In this tutorial review, we summarize the current stage of fabrication of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers. Three types of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers are, respectively, illustrated according to the different activities of calixarenes: (1) calixarene-based supramolecular polycaps, (2) supramolecular polymers with polymeric calixarene scaffolds where the cavities remain unexploited; (3) supramolecular polymers formed by the host-guest interactions offered by calixarene cavities. Furthermore, the stimuli-responsiveness and functions of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers are illustrated, which endow them with a broad range of potential applications as smart, self-healing materials and delivery carriers.     

UV resonance Raman spectroscopic monitoring of supramolecular complex formation: peptide recognition in aqueous solution

The formation of a supramolecular complex between a tetrapeptide and an artificial receptor , is monitored at submillimolar concentrations in water by UV resonance Raman spectroscopy. Using 275 nm excitation, we selectively probe the carboxylate binding site (CBS) within the receptor, a moiety which is very efficient in binding the carboxy terminus of peptides in aqueous media. Complexation of the receptor with the tetrapeptide involves the formation of a H-bond enforced ion pair, resulting in significant changes in the corresponding UV resonance Raman spectra. Our qualitative interpretation is based on experimental reference and calculated Raman spectra on model systems. First preliminary calculations show that for a quantitative analysis, also the distinct contributions of multiple CBS conformers must be considered in addition to the H-bond induced changes upon complexation.     

Formation of supramolecular cavitands on copper electrode surfaces

The adsorption of 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bipyridinium molecules (dibenzyl-viologen or DBV(2+) for the sake of simplicity) on chloride precovered Cu(100) has been studied in an electrochemical environment by means of cyclic voltammetry and in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. DBV(2+) spontaneously forms a highly ordered phase on the chloride c(2 x 2) adlayer at potentials close to the onset of the copper dissolution reaction when the pure supporting electrolyte (10 mM HCl/5 mM KCl) is exchanged by one also containing DBV(2+). This ordered phase can be described by a ( radical 53 x radical 53)R15.9 degrees unit cell relating the organic adlayer to the chloride c(2 x 2) structure underneath or alternatively by a ( radical 106 x radical 106)R29.05 degrees unit cell relating the organic layer to the Cu(1 x 1) substrate structure. Thus, the negatively charged chloride layer acts as a template for the adsorption and phase formation of DBV(2+). Compared to the copper-chloride interaction, the DBV(2+)-chloride interaction appears to be weaker since the organic layer can be easily removed from the surface by the tunneling tip when drastic tunneling conditions (low bias voltage, high tunneling current) are applied. A key structural element of the DBV(2+) adlayer is an assembly of four individual DBV(2+) molecules forming square-shaped supramolecular units with pronounced cavities in their center. Characteristically, the supramolecular assemblies reveal a preferential rotational orientation resulting in the appearance of two chiral forms of these assemblies. Furthermore, these two chiral supramolecular assemblies occur in two mirrored domains of the ( radical 53 x radical 53)R15.9 degrees structure. It can be assumed that these viologen-based supramolecular architectures can be used as potential host cavitands for the inclusion of smaller organic molecules.     

Molecular recognition studies on supramolecular systems (XXIV)——Conformations and complexation abilities of chemically modified cyclodextrins in aqueous solution

Circular dichroism spectral and fluorescence decay methods have been employed to determine the conformations of mono[6-(p-tolylseleno)-6-deoxy]-p-CD(1), mono(6-anilino-6-deoxy) β -CD (2) and mono[6-(L-tryptophan)-6-deoxy]-β-CD (3) in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2, 0.1 mol dm-3) at 298.15 K. The results indicate that compounds 2 and 3 formed self-inclusion complexes in aqueous buffer solution, while the substituent of compound 1 was not included into cyclodextrin cavity at all. Furthermore, the complex stability constant (logKs) and Gibbs free energy change (-ΔG° ) of these three cylcodextrin derivatives with several cycloalkanols have been determined by circular dichroism spectral titration in phosphate buffer solution at 298.15 K. It is found that the location of the substituent affects the stability of host-guest complex in aqueous solution.     

Molecular recognition on supramolecular systems (XXXV)

A novel β-cyclodextrin derivative4 bearing a pyridinio group on the primary side was synthesized by the reaction of 2-aminopyridine with 6-β-cyclodextrin monoaldehyde3, and its complexation stability constants with several aliphatic amino acids have been determined in phosphate buffer solution ( pH = 7.2, 0.1 mol·L⁻¹) at 25 °C by using spectrofluormetric titrations. The stoichiometry is 1:1 for the inclusion complexation of amino acids with compound4. Circular dichroism study indicates that the aromatic moiety was embedded shallowly into the cyclodextrin cavity. As a spectral probe, the pyridinio group in the modified cyclodextrin can recognize not only differences of the size and shape of amino acid molecules, but also theL/D-amino acid chiral isomer. As compared with mono-[6-(1-pyridinio)-6-deoxy]-β-cyclodextrin5, compound4 switched the enantiomer preference forL- toD-isomer, and showed the highest enantioselectivity of 5.4 forD/L-serine. These results are discussed from the viewpoints of geometric compensation, induced-fit concept and cooperation of several weak interactions.     

Controllable macrocyclic supramolecular assemblies in aqueous solution

A series of macrocycles, including crown ethers, cyclodextrins, calixarenes, pillararenes and cucurbiturils, are well known to be able to associate various organic/inorganic/biological guest molecules and ions in their well-defined cyclic cavities to form stable host-guest complexes and supramolecular systems through the cooperative contributions of various non-covalent interactions. When one or more functional groups are attached to the cavity of macrocycles or guest molecules, enhanced and/or controlled host-guest associations may take place, leading to not only improved host-guest binding abilities but also fascinating properties. In this review, some representative contributions in the construction of controllable macrocyclic supramolecular assemblies in aqueous solution are presented with an emphasis on the stimuli-responsive control manner and wide applications of this property.     

Molecular recognition. Electrostatic effects in supramolecular self-assembly

A di-positively charged metal-based receptor is shown to form 1:1 or 2:1 association complexes with rigid, linear two-site guests depending on the site separation, suggesting that electrostatic repulsion controls the association nuclearity.     

Structural characterization of modular supramolecular architectures in solution

Structures of modular supramolecular architectures consisting of a hexameric, diphenylethyne-linked porphyrin macrocyclic array and the corresponding host-guest complex formed by inclusion of a tripyridyl guest molecule were characterized in solution using high-angle X-ray scattering. Scattering measurements made to 6 A resolution coupled with pair distance function (PDF) analyses demonstrated that (1) the porphyrin architectures are not rigid but are distributed across a conformational ensemble with a mean diameter that is 1.5 A shorter than the diameter of a symmetric, energy-minimized model structure, (2) the conformational envelope has limits of 3 A positional dispersion and full rotational freedom for all six porphyrin groups, and (3) insertion of the tripyridyl guest molecule expands the diameter of the host conformer by 0.6 A and decreases the configurational dispersion by approximately 2-fold. These results validate the molecular design, provide a new measure of conformational ensembles in solution that cannot be obtained by other techniques, and establish a structural basis for understanding the photophysical and guest-hosting functions of the hexameric porphyrin architectures in liquids.     

Molecular recognition studies on supramolecular systems (XXIV)

Circular dichroism spectral and fluorescence decay methods have been employed to determine the conformations of mono[6-(p-tolylseleno)-6-deoxy]-β-CD(1), mono(6-anilino-6-deoxy) ?β -CD (2) and mono[6-(L-tryptophan)-6-deoxy]?β -CD (3) in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2, 0.1 mol dm^?3) at 298.15 K. The results indicate that compounds 2 and 3 formed self-inclusion complexes in aqueous buffer solution, while the substituent of compound 1 was not included into cyclodextrin cavity at all. Furthermore, the complex stability constant (logK _s) and Gibbs free en-ergy change (?ΔAG °) of these three cylcodextrin derivatives with several cycloalkanols have been determined by circular dichroism spectral titration in phosphate buffer solution at 298.15 K. It is found that the location of the substituent affects the stability of host-guest complex in aqueous solution.     

Template-directed supramolecular self-assembly of coordination dumbbells at surfaces

Scanning tunneling microscopy reveals, at single-molecular resolution, how external parameters--substrate morphology and guest addition--re-direct the assembly of dumbbell-shaped coordination supramolecules towards different surface-confined supramolecular organizations.     

A linear supramolecular polymer based on host-guest recognition and metal-ligand coordination

A linear main-chain supramolecular polymer was constructed in aqueous solution via γ-CD host recognition with coumarin unit as well as metalligand coordination between terpyridine unit and Zn²⁺. Besides, the self-assembly behavior and morphological property of this supramolecular polymer system were characterized by DLS and TEM experiments.     

Formation of supramolecular systems via directed Nucleoside-Lipid recognition

We report the synthesis of a new series of Ketal Nucleoside Lipids (KNLs) featuring saturated hydrophobic double chains and either adenosine or uridine as nucleosides (KNL(A) and KNL(U), respectively). Physicochemical studies (differential scanning calorimetry, small angle X ray scattering, transmission electronic microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Langmuir isotherm, infrared spectroscopy) show that the KNLs form hydrogels below the main phase transition temperature (Tm), whereas fluid lamellar phases are obtained above T(m). Mixing complementary KNLs affords a new stable Combined Supramolecular Systems (CSSs) due to complementary A-U recognition. Molecular modeling calculations of the bilayers in a fluid state exhibit a merging of the bilayers partially due to base-base interactions.     

Identification of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium salt supramolecular aggregates in solution

The nature of the interactions between 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cations and noncoordinating anions such as tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, and tetraphenylborate has been studied in the solid state by X-ray diffraction analysis and in solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, conductivity, and microcalorimetry. In the solid state, these compounds show an extended network of hydrogen-bonded cations and anions in which one cation is surrounded by at least three anions and one anion is surrounded by at least three imidazolium cations. In the pure form, imidazolium salts are better described as polymeric supramolecules of the type {[(DAI)(3)(X)](2+)[(DAI)(X)(3)](2-)}(n) (where DAI is the dialkylimidazolium cation and X is the anion) formed through hydrogen bonds of the imidazolium cation with the anion. In solution, this supramolecular structural organization is maintained to a great extent, at least in solvents of low dielectric constant, indicating that mixtures of imidazolium ionic liquids with other molecules can be considered as nanostructured materials. This model is very useful for the rationalization of the majority of the unusual behavior of the ionic liquids.     

Study on the formation of a supramolecular conjugated graft copolymer in solution

The formation in solution of a supramolecular graft copolymer bearing conjugated blocks is demonstrated using diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY). A tailor‐made poly(3‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophene) (P3EHT) with a phenol end group is synthesized. For this purpose, the chain‐growth mechanism of the polymerization of 2‐bromo‐5‐chloromagnesio‐3‐alkylthiophenes in the presence of a Ni(dppp) catalyst (dppp = 1,3‐bis(triphenylphosphino)propane) is exploited, as it enables the use of functionalized initiators to introduce specific end groups. The so‐obtained polythiophene was subsequently mixed in solution with poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (P4VP) to enable phenol‐pyridine hydrogen bonding. The formation of the supramolecular graft copolymer is studied using DOSY‐measurements. Based on the results thereof, the amount of P3EHT attached to the P4VP is calculated and the association constant of the hydrogen bond is estimated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 804–809     

Chiral recognition capabilities of melamine and cyanuric acid supramolecular structures

Currently, there are numerous papers that discuss local chiral domains in supramolecular structures of achiral molecules established using the STM method, and by using DFT calculations. However, there are no data regarding the obtainment of macroscopically chiral 2D-supramolecular structures from achiral molecules. In this study, melamine and cyanuric acid supramolecular structures were self-assembled on a graphitized carbon black surface, which had a surface structure that was identical to HOPG, and also on the surface of an inert solid support for chromatography. Chirality induction according to the Kondepudi effect was used. For the supramolecular structures, MD calculations showed the possibility of obtaining a chiral structure. To establish macroscopic chirality, we proposed the use of the difference in enantiomer adsorption on the modified adsorbents. For this, two indirect methods were used: static adsorption with a polarimetric control and gas chromatography. Both methods indicated the chiral recognition ability of the adsorbents used.     

Assessing the role of chirality in the formation of rosette-like supramolecular assemblies on surfaces

Molecular modeling simulations reveal the role of stereogenic centers in the formation of enantiomorphous surface-confined supramolecular rosette-like assemblies in monolayers of oligophenylene vinylene oligomers adsorbed at the graphite/solvent interface.