Multidimensional frameworks assembled from silver(I) coordination polymers containing flexible bis(thioquinolyl) ligands: role of the intra- and intermolecular aromatic stacking interactions

Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Multidimensional Functional Materials from Sequence-Defined Peptoids

Hierarchical self-assembly represents a powerful strategy for the fabrication of functional materials across various length scales. However, achieving precise formation of functional hierarchical assemblies remains a significant challenge and requires a profound understanding of molecular assembly interactions. In this study, we present a molecular-level understanding of the hierarchical assembly of sequence-defined peptoids into multidimensional functional materials, including twisted nanotube bundles serving as a highly efficient artificial light harvesting system. By employing synchrotron-based powder X-ray diffraction and analyzing single crystal structures of model compounds, we elucidated the molecular packing and mechanisms underlying the assembly of peptoids into multidimensional nanostructures. Our findings demonstrate that incorporating aromatic functional groups, such as tetraphenyl ethylene (TPE), at the termini of assembling peptoid sequences promotes the formation of twisted bundles of nanotubes and nanosheets, thus enabling the creation of a highly efficient artificial light harvesting system. This research exemplifies the potential of leveraging sequence-defined synthetic polymers to translate microscopic molecular structures into macroscopic assemblies. It holds promise for the development of functional materials with precisely controlled hierarchical structures and designed functions.

Assembly of short amphiphilic peptoids into nanohelices with controllable supramolecular chirality

A long-standing challenge in bioinspired materials is to design and synthesize synthetic materials that mimic the sophisticated structures and functions of natural biomaterials, such as helical protein assemblies that are important in biological systems. Herein, we report the formation of a series of nanohelices from a type of well-developed protein-mimetics called peptoids. We demonstrate that nanohelix structures and supramolecular chirality can be well-controlled through the side-chain chemistry. Specifically, the ionic effects on peptoids from varying the polar side-chain groups result in the formation of either single helical fiber or hierarchically stacked helical bundles. We also demonstrate that the supramolecular chirality of assembled peptoid helices can be controlled by modifying assembling peptoids with a single chiral amino acid side chain. Computational simulations and theoretical modeling predict that minimizing exposure of hydrophobic domains within a twisted helical form presents the most thermodynamically favorable packing of these amphiphilic peptoids and suggests a key role for both polar and hydrophobic domains on nanohelix formation. Our findings establish a platform to design and synthesize chiral functional materials using sequence-defined synthetic polymers.

Access to Advanced Functional Materials through Postmodification of Biomimetic Assemblies via Click Chemistry

The design, synthesis, and fabrication of functional nanomaterials with specific properties remain a long-standing goal for many scientific fields. The self-assembly of sequence-defined biomimetic synthetic polymers presents a fundamental strategy to explore the chemical space beyond biological systems to create advanced nanomaterials. Moreover, subsequent chemical modification of existing nanostructures is a unique approach for accessing increasingly complex nanostructures and introducing functionalities. Of these modifications, covalent conjugation chemistries, such as the click reactions, have been the cornerstone for chemists and materials scientists. Herein, we highlight some recent advances that have successfully employed click chemistries for the postmodification of assembled one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures to achieve applications in molecular recognition, mineralization, and optoelectronics. Specifically, biomimetic nanomaterials assembled from sequence-defined macromolecules such as peptides and peptoids are described.

Creating an Amyloid 'Kaleidoscope' Using Short Iodinated Peptides

Amyloid fibrils formed by peptides with different sequences exhibit diversified morphologies, material properties and activities, making them valuable for developing functional bionanomaterials. However, the molecular understanding underlying the structural diversity of peptide fibrillar assembly at atomic level is still lacking. In this study, by using cryogenic electron microscopy, we first revealed the structural basis underlying the highly reversible assembly of 1 GFGGNDNFG9 (referred to as hnRAC1) peptide fibril. Furthermore, by installing iodine at different sites of hnRAC1, we generated a collection of peptide fibrils with distinct thermostability. By determining the atomic structures of the iodinated fibrils, we discovered that iodination at different sites of the peptide facilitates the formation of diverse halogen bonds and triggers the assembly of entirely different structures of iodinated fibrils. Finally, based on this structural knowledge, we designed an iodinated peptide that assembles into new atomic structures of fibrils, exhibiting superior thermostability, that aligned with our design. Our work provides an in-depth understanding of the atomic-level processes underlying the formation of diverse peptide fibril structures, and paves the way for creating an amyloid "kaleidoscope" by employing various modifications and peptide sequences to fine-tune the atomic structure and properties of fibrillar nanostructures.

Hierarchical Materials from High Information Content Macromolecular Building Blocks: Construction, Dynamic Interventions, and Prediction

Hierarchical materials that exhibit order over multiple length scales are ubiquitous in nature. Because hierarchy gives rise to unique properties and functions, many have sought inspiration from nature when designing and fabricating hierarchical matter. More and more, however, nature's own high-information content building blocks, proteins, peptides, and peptidomimetics, are being coopted to build hierarchy because the information that determines structure, function, and interfacial interactions can be readily encoded in these versatile macromolecules. Here, we take stock of recent progress in the rational design and characterization of hierarchical materials produced from high-information content blocks with a focus on stimuli-responsive and "smart" architectures. We also review advances in the use of computational simulations and data-driven predictions to shed light on how the side chain chemistry and conformational flexibility of macromolecular blocks drive the emergence of order and the acquisition of hierarchy and also on how ionic, solvent, and surface effects influence the outcomes of assembly. Continued progress in the above areas will ultimately usher in an era where an understanding of designed interactions, surface effects, and solution conditions can be harnessed to achieve predictive materials synthesis across scale and drive emergent phenomena in the self-assembly and reconfiguration of high-information content building blocks.

Hierarchical Nanomaterials Assembled from Peptoids and Other Sequence-Defined Synthetic Polymers

In nature, the self-assembly of sequence-specific biopolymers into hierarchical structures plays an essential role in the construction of functional biomaterials. To develop synthetic materials that can mimic and surpass the function of these natural counterparts, various sequence-defined bio- and biomimetic polymers have been developed and exploited as building blocks for hierarchical self-assembly. This review summarizes the recent advances in the molecular self-assembly of hierarchical nanomaterials based on peptoids (or poly-N-substituted glycines) and other sequence-defined synthetic polymers. Modern techniques to monitor the assembly mechanisms and characterize the physicochemical properties of these self-assembly systems are highlighted. In addition, discussions about their potential applications in biomedical sciences and renewable energy are also included. This review aims to highlight essential features of sequence-defined synthetic polymers (e.g., high stability and protein-like high-information content) and how these unique features enable the construction of robust biomimetic functional materials with high programmability and predictability, with an emphasis on peptoids and their self-assembled nanomaterials.

Emergence of electrical conductivity in a flexible coordination polymer by using chemical reduction

Postsynthetic chemical reduction enhanced the electrical conductivity of a new flexible 1D coordination network with a naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based ligand.

Marigold Flower-Like Assemblies of Phosphorescent Iridium-Silver Coordination Polymers

Racemic and enantiopure phosphorescent iridium(III)-silver(I) coordination polymers are reported. The polymers rac-, Λ-, and Δ-IrAg were formed, respectively, by the assembly of the chiral iridium metalloligands rac-, Λ-, and Δ-[Ir(mesppy)₂ (qpy)]PF₆ (rac-, Λ- and Δ-Ir) where mesppy is 2-phenyl-4-mesitylpyridinato and qpy is 4,4':2',2'':4'',4'''-quaterpyridine, and Ag⁺ ions through N_py -Ag linear coordination. The polymers have been characterized in MeNO₂ solution by ¹ H and ¹ H DOSY NMR and CD spectroscopies and in the solid-state by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystal structures of the racemic polymer rac-IrAg has been obtained by X-ray diffraction. The polymers rac-, Λ-, and Δ-IrAg exhibited orange/red emission in solution, in films and as crystals, with intensities comparable to those of the corresponding iridium metalloligands rac-, Λ-, and Δ-Ir. The morphology of the enantiopure polymers in the solid-state resembles marigold flower-like nano-porous assemblies while the racemic polymer possesses an irregular morphology formation.

Designable and dynamic single-walled stiff nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids

Despite recent advances in the assembly of organic nanotubes, conferral of sequence-defined engineering and dynamic response characteristics to the tubules remains a challenge. Here we report a new family of highly designable and dynamic nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids through a unique “rolling-up and closure of nanosheet” mechanism. During the assembly process, amorphous spherical particles of amphiphilic peptoid oligomers crystallize to form well-defined nanosheets before folding to form single-walled nanotubes. These nanotubes undergo a pH-triggered, reversible contraction–expansion motion. By varying the number of hydrophobic residues of peptoids, we demonstrate tuning of nanotube wall thickness, diameter, and mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy-based mechanical measurements show peptoid nanotubes are highly stiff (Young’s Modulus ~13–17 GPa). We further demonstrate the precise incorporation of functional groups within nanotubes and their applications in water decontamination and cellular adhesion and uptake. These nanotubes provide a robust platform for developing biomimetic materials tailored to specific applications.

The application potential of organic nanotubes is currently limited by their lack of designable or dynamic properties. Here, Chen et al. use sequence-defined peptoids to assemble a new family of pH-responsive stiff nanotubes whose dimensions, components and functions can be easily tailored.

The Structure of the Periplasmic Sensor Domain of the Histidine Kinase CusS Shows Unusual Metal Ion Coordination at the Dimeric Interface

In bacteria, two-component systems act as signaling systems to respond to environmental stimuli. Two-component systems generally consist of a sensor histidine kinase and a response regulator, which work together through histidyl-aspartyl phosphorelay to result in gene regulation. One of the two-component systems in Escherichia coli, CusS-CusR, is known to induce expression of cusCFBA genes at increased periplasmic Cu(I) and Ag(I) concentrations to help maintain metal ion homeostasis. CusS is a membrane-associated histidine kinase with a periplasmic sensor domain connected to the cytoplasmic ATP binding and catalytic domains through two transmembrane helices. The mechanism of how CusS senses increasing metal ion concentrations and activates CusR is not yet known. Here, we present the crystal structure of the Ag(I)-bound periplasmic sensor domain of CusS at a resolution of 2.15 Å. The structure reveals that CusS forms a homodimer with four Ag(I) binding sites per dimeric complex. Two symmetric metal binding sites are found at the dimeric interface, which are each formed by two histidines and one phenylalanine with an unusual cation-π interaction. The other metal ion binding sites are in a nonconserved region within each monomer. Functional analyses of CusS variants with mutations in the metal sites suggest that the metal ion binding site at the dimer interface is more important for function. The structural and functional data provide support for a model in which metal-induced dimerization results in increases in kinase activity in the cytoplasmic domains of CusS.

Highly stable and self-repairing membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials assembled from lipid-like peptoids

An ability to develop sequence-defined synthetic polymers that both mimic lipid amphiphilicity for self-assembly of highly stable membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials and exhibit protein-like functionality would revolutionize the development of biomimetic membranes. Here we report the assembly of lipid-like peptoids into highly stable, crystalline, free-standing and self-repairing membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials through a facile crystallization process. Both experimental and molecular dynamics simulation results show that peptoids assemble into membranes through an anisotropic formation process. We further demonstrated the use of peptoid membranes as a robust platform to incorporate and pattern functional objects through large side-chain diversity and/or co-crystallization approaches. Similar to lipid membranes, peptoid membranes exhibit changes in thickness upon exposure to external stimuli; they can coat surfaces in single layers and self-repair. We anticipate that this new class of membrane-mimetic 2D nanomaterials will provide a robust matrix for development of biomimetic membranes tailored to specific applications.

Biomimetic membranes can be used for various applications such as sensors and separations. Here, Chen et al. report the assembly of lipid-like peptoids into stable and self-repairing 2D membrane nanomaterials that change in thickness when under external stimuli.

Cadmium(ii) carboxyphosphonates based on mixed ligands: syntheses, crystal structures and recognition properties toward amino acids

Three novel cadmium(ii) carboxyphosphonates have been hydrothermally synthesized. The luminescence properties of compounds 1–3 have been investigated. Meanwhile, the excellent abilities of compounds 2 and 3 for selective recognition of tryptophan (Trp) have been demonstrated.

Studies on antimicrobial effects of four ligands and their transition metal complexes with 8-mercaptoquinoline and pyridine terminal groups

Four types of ligands (Q1-Q4) and their complexes (1-36) with transition metal ions have been synthesized, in which two new complexes (15 and 20) have been prepared and tested. In vitro antimicrobial activities of the ligands and their complexes were investigated against a representative panel of strains including two Gram positive bacteria (Sarcina ureae, Staphylococcus aureus), two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and three fungi (Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense). The relationship between the structure and the antibacterial activities was discussed. Our study results indicated that some compounds have preferred antibacterial activities that may have potential pharmaceutical applications.

Synthesis and structural characterization of silver(i), copper(i) coordination polymers and a helicate palladium(ii) complex of dipyrrolylmethane-based dipyrazole ligands: the effect of meso substituents on structural formation

A striking difference in the structures of silver complexes was observed because of the different substituents at the meso carbon atom of the dipyrrolylmethane-based ligand.