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Woods JF, Gallego L, Maisch A, Renggli D, Cuocci C, Blacque O, Steinfeld G, Kaech A, Spingler B, Vargas Jentzsch A, Rickhaus M. Saddles as rotational locks within shape-assisted self-assembled nanosheets. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4725. [PMID: 37550281 PMCID: PMC10406840 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40475-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a key target for many applications in the modern day. Self-assembly is one approach that can bring us closer to this goal, which usually relies upon strong, directional interactions instead of covalent bonds. Control over less directional forces is more challenging and usually does not result in as well-defined materials. Explicitly incorporating topography into the design as a guiding effect to enhance the interacting forces can help to form highly ordered structures. Herein, we show the process of shape-assisted self-assembly to be consistent across a range of derivatives that highlights the restriction of rotational motion and is verified using a diverse combination of solid state analyses. A molecular curvature governed angle distribution nurtures monomers into loose columns that then arrange to form 2D structures with long-range order observed in both crystalline and soft materials. These features strengthen the idea that shape becomes an important design principle leading towards precise molecular self-assembly and the inception of new materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F Woods
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lucía Gallego
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amira Maisch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Renggli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Corrado Cuocci
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR, Via Amendola, 122/O, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Olivier Blacque
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andres Kaech
- Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernhard Spingler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Vargas Jentzsch
- SAMS Research Group, University of Strasbourg, Institut Charles Sadron, CNRS, 67200, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Rickhaus
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Borsdorf L, Herkert L, Bäumer N, Rubert L, Soberats B, Korevaar PA, Bourque C, Gatsogiannis C, Fernández G. Pathway-Controlled Aqueous Supramolecular Polymerization via Solvent-Dependent Chain Conformation Effects. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:8882-8895. [PMID: 37053499 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Solute-solvent interactions play a critical role in multiple fields, including biology, materials science, and (physical) organic, polymer, and supramolecular chemistry. Within the growing field of supramolecular polymer science, these interactions have been recognized as an important driving force for (entropically driven) intermolecular association, particularly in aqueous media. However, to date, solute-solvent effects remain poorly understood in the context of complex self-assembly energy landscapes and pathway complexity. Herein, we unravel the role of solute-solvent interactions in controlling chain conformation effects, allowing energy landscape modulation and pathway selection in aqueous supramolecular polymerization. To this end, we have designed a series of oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE)-based bolaamphiphilic Pt(II) complexes OPE2-4 bearing solubilizing triethylene glycol (TEG) chains of equal length on both molecule ends, but a different size of the hydrophobic aromatic scaffold. Strikingly, detailed self-assembly studies in aqueous media disclose a different tendency of the TEG chains to fold back and enwrap the hydrophobic molecular component depending on both the size of the core and the volume fraction of the co-solvent (THF). The relatively small hydrophobic component of OPE2 can be readily shielded by the TEG chains, leading to only one aggregation pathway. In contrast, the decreased capability of the TEG chains to effectively shield larger hydrophobic cores (OPE3 and OPE4) enables different types of solvent quality-dependent conformations (extended, partly back-folded and back-folded), which in turn induce various controllable aggregation pathways with distinct morphologies and mechanisms. Our results shed light on previously underappreciated solvent-dependent chain conformation effects and their role in governing pathway complexity in aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Borsdorf
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Lorena Herkert
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Nils Bäumer
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Llorenç Rubert
- Department of Chemistry, Universitat de les Iles Balears, Cra. Valldemossa, Km. 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bartolome Soberats
- Department of Chemistry, Universitat de les Iles Balears, Cra. Valldemossa, Km. 7.5, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Peter A Korevaar
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cole Bourque
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Busso-Peus-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Christos Gatsogiannis
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Busso-Peus-Straße 10, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Gustavo Fernández
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Organisch-Chemisches Institut, Corrensstraße 36, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Insua I, Bergueiro J, Méndez-Ardoy A, Lostalé-Seijo I, Montenegro J. Bottom-up supramolecular assembly in two dimensions. Chem Sci 2022; 13:3057-3068. [PMID: 35414883 PMCID: PMC8926289 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05667k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of molecules in two dimensions (2D) is gathering attention from all disciplines across the chemical sciences. Attracted by the interesting properties of two-dimensional inorganic analogues, monomers of different chemical natures are being explored for the assembly of dynamic 2D systems. Although many important discoveries have been already achieved, great challenges are still to be addressed in this field. Hierarchical multicomponent assembly, directional non-covalent growth and internal structural control are a just a few of the examples that will be discussed in this perspective about the exciting present and the bright future of two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies. The self-assembly of molecules in two dimensions (2D) is gathering attention from all disciplines across the chemical sciences. This perspective discusses the main strategies to direct the supramolecular self-assembly of organic monomers in 2D.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Insua
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela 15705 Spain
| | - Julian Bergueiro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela 15705 Spain
| | - Alejandro Méndez-Ardoy
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela 15705 Spain
| | - Irene Lostalé-Seijo
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela 15705 Spain
| | - Javier Montenegro
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela 15705 Spain
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Helmers I, Bäumer N, Fernández G. Hydrophobic domain flexibility enables morphology control of amphiphilic systems in aqueous media. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:13808-13811. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cc06173e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we unravel the impact of hydrophobic domain flexibility on the self-assembly pathways and aggregate morphology of amphiphilic systems in aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Helmers
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
| | - Nils Bäumer
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
| | - Gustavo Fernández
- Organisch-Chemisches Institut
- Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
- 48149 Münster
- Germany
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