Counterion Distribution around Hydrophilic Molecular Macroanions: The Source of the Attractive Force in Self-Assembly

Rational Control of Self-Recognition of Macroionic γ-Cyclodextrin by Host-Guest Interaction with Super-Chaotropic Borate Cluster Ions

We report a feasible method to control self-recognition during the self-assembly of a hydrophilic macroion, phosphate-functionalized γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD-P), though host-guest interactions. We confirmed that γ-CD-P can form a host-guest complex with a super-chaotropic anion, namely the B₁₂ F₁₂ ^2- borate cluster, by using NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. The loaded γ-CD-P, which has a higher charge density, can be distinguished from the uncomplexed γ-CD-P, leading to self-sorting behavior during the self-assembly process, confirmed by the formation of two types of individual supramolecular structures (R_h of ca. 57 nm and 18 nm, determined by light scattering) instead of hybrid structures in mixed dilute solution. This self-recognition behavior is accounted for by the difference in intermolecular electrostatic interactions arising from the loading.

Calcium-Facilitated Aggregation and Precipitation of the Uranyl Peroxide Nanocluster U60 in the Presence of Na-Montmorillonite

The unique and diverse features of uranyl peroxide nanoclusters may contribute to the enhanced mobility of uranium in the environment. This study examines the sorption of the uranyl peroxide nanocluster [UO₂(O₂)(OH)]₆₀^60- (U₆₀) to Na-montmorillonite (SWy-2), plagioclase (anorthite), and quartz (SiO₂) as a function of time, U₆₀ concentration, and mineral concentration. SWy-2 was studied in both its untreated form as well as after two different pretreatments, denoted as partially treated SWy-2 and fully treated SWy-2. U₆₀ was removed (∼99%) from solution in the presence of untreated and partially treated SWy-2. However, U₆₀ was not removed from suspensions containing anorthite, quartz, or fully treated SWy-2, even after several months. The removal of U₆₀ from suspensions containing untreated SWy-2 is promoted in part by the exchange of Li⁺ counter-ions, normally weakly associated with U₆₀ in solution, for Ca²⁺ ions naturally present in the clay. In solution, Ca²⁺ ions induce the aggregation of nanoclusters, which precipitate on the surface of SWy-2. Ca-rich U₆₀ aggregates associated with SWy-2 were identified and characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This research enhances our understanding of the molecular-scale processes controlling U₆₀ behavior at the mineral-water interface.

Unique Symmetry-Breaking Phenomenon during the Self-assembly of Macroions Elucidated by Simulation

Various soluble hydrophilic macroions can self-assemble into hollow, spherical, monolayered supramolecular "blackberry"-type structures, despite their like-charged nature. However, how the 3-D symmetrical macroions prefer to form 2-D monolayers in bulk solution, especially for the highly symmetrical "Keplerate" polyoxometalates and functionalized C60 macroions has been a mystery. Through molecular dynamics simulations, using a model specifically designed for macroions in solution, the mechanism of this intriguing symmetry-breaking process is found to be related to the apparently asymmetric charge distribution on the surface of macroions in the equatorial belt area (the area which can be effectively involved in the counterion-mediated attraction). As a result, the electric field lines around macroions during the self-assembly process clearly show that the symmetry-breaking happens at the dimer level effectively defining the plane of the self-assembly. These findings are expected to contribute to our fundamental knowledge of complex solution systems that are found in many fields from materials science to biological phenomena.

Self-Assembly of Polyoxometalate-Peptide Hybrids in Solution: Elucidating the Contributions of Multiple Possible Driving Forces

Incorporating the building blocks of nature (e.g., peptides and DNA) into inorganic polyoxometalate (POM) clusters is a promising approach to improve the compatibilities of POMs in biological fields. To extend their biological applications, it is necessary to understand the importance of different non‐covalent interactions during self‐organization. A series of Anderson POM–peptide hybrids have been used as a simple model to demonstrate the role of different interactions in POM–peptide (biomolecules) systems. Regardless of peptide chain length, these hybrids follow similar solution behaviors, forming hollow, spherical supramolecular structures in acetonitrile/water mixed solvents. The incorporation of peptide tails introduces interesting stimuli‐responsive properties to temperature, hybrid concentration, solvent polarity and ionic strength. Unlike the typical bilayer amphiphilic vesicles, they are found to follow the blackberry‐type assemblies of hydrophilic macroions, which are regulated by electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. The formation of electrostatic assemblies before the supramolecular formation is confirmed by ion‐mobility mass spectrometry (IMS‐MS).

A General Approach to Access Morphologies of Polyoxometalates in Solution by Using SAXS: An Ab Initio Modeling Protocol

Herein, we reported a general protocol for an ab initio modeling approach to deduce structure information of polyoxometalates (POMs) in solutions from scattering data collected by the small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. To validate the protocol, the morphologies of a serious of known POMs in either aqueous or organic solvents were analyzed. The obtained particle morphologies were compared and confirmed with previous reported crystal structures. To extend the feasibility of the protocol to an unknown system of aqueous solutions of Na₂ MoO₄ with the pH ranging from -1 to 8.35, the formation of {Mo₃₆ } clusters was probed, identified, and confirmed by SAXS. The approach was further optimized with a multi-processing capability to achieve fast analysis of experimental data, thereby, facilitating in situ studies of formations of POMs in solutions. The advantage of this approach is to generate intuitive 3D models of POMs in solutions without confining information such as symmetries and possible sizes.

Rational Design of Organically Functionalized Polyoxopalladates and Their Supramolecular Properties

The Sr^II -centered 12-palladate(II) open-cube {SrPd₁₂ (OAc)₃ } has been systematically evolved by substitution of the three acetate ligands by a library of saturated carboxylic acids with increasing chain lengths leading to four novel polyoxopalladates(II) with the formula [SrPd₁₂ O₆ (OH)₃ (PhAsO₃ )₆ (L)₃ ]^4- (SrPd₁₂ L₃ , L=C_n H_2n+1 COO, n=2 to 5). These first examples of surfactant-type polyoxopalladates with a hydrophilic metal-oxo unit and three hydrophobic alkyl chains were characterized in the solid state (single-crystal XRD, FTIR, TGA), in solution (¹ H, ¹³ C NMR spectroscopy), and in the gas phase (ESI-MS). The two polyanions SrPd₁₂ L₃ with chain lengths of 5 and 6 are the first examples of polyoxopalladates that are soluble and stable in organic media. The Na salts of the amphiphilic polyoxopalladates SrPd₁₂ L₃ were shown to self-assemble into "blackberry"-type spherical supramolecular structures in dilute solutions, of which an unusual "volcano"-shaped trend of assembly size versus solvent polarity is chiefly influenced by directional hydrogen bonding interactions.

Controllable self-assembly of organic-inorganic amphiphiles containing Dawson polyoxometalate clusters

An organic-inorganic molecular hybrid containing the Dawson polyoxometalate, ((C(4)H(9))(4)N)(5)H[P(2)V(3)W(15)O(59)(OCH(2))(3)CNHCOC(15)H(31)], was synthesized and its surfactant-like amphiphilic properties, represented by the formation of bilayer vesicles, were studied in polar solvents. The vesicle size decreases with both decreasing hybrid concentration and with increasing polarity of the solvent, independently. The self-assembly behavior of this hybrid can be controlled by introducing different counterions into the acetonitrile solutions. The addition of ZnCl(2) and NaI can cause a gradual decrease and increase of vesicular sizes, respectively. Tetraalkylammonium bromide is found to disassemble the vesicle assemblies. Moreover, the original counterions of the hybrid can be replaced with protons, resulting in pH-dependent formation of vesicles in aqueous solutions. The hybrid surfactant can further form micro-needle structures in aqueous solutions upon addition of Ca(2+) ions.