Supramolecular Two-Dimensional Systems and Their Biological Applications

Various biological systems rely on the supramolecular assembly of biomolecules through noncovalent bonds for performing sophisticated functions. In particular, cell membranes, which are 2D structures in biological systems, have various characteristics such as a large surface, flexibility, and molecule-recognition ability. Supramolecular 2D materials based on biological systems provide a novel perspective for the development of functional 2D materials. The physical and chemical properties of 2D structures, attributed to their large surface area, can enhance the sensitivity of the detection of target molecules, molecular loading, and bioconjugation efficiency, suggesting the potential utility of functional 2D materials as candidates for biological systems. Although several types of studies on supramolecular 2D materials have been reported, supramolecular biofunctional 2D materials have not been reviewed previously. In this regard, the current advances in 2D material development using molecular assembly are discussed with respect to the rational design of self-assembling aromatic amphiphiles, the formation of 2D structures, and the biological applications of functional 2D materials.

Balancing Ligand Flexibility versus Rigidity for the Stepwise Self-Assembly of M12 L24 via M6 L12 Metal-Organic Cages

Non-covalent interactions are important for directing protein folding across multiple intermediates and can even provide access to multiple stable structures with different properties and functions. Herein, we describe an approach for mimicking this behavior in the self-assembly of metal-organic cages. Two ligands, the bend angles of which are controlled by non-covalent interactions and one ligand lacking the above-mentioned interactions, were synthesized and used for self-assembly with Pd²⁺ . As these weak interactions are easily broken, the bend angles have a controlled flexibility giving access to M₂ (L1)₄ , M₆ (L2)₁₂ , and M₁₂ (L2)₂₄ cages. By controlling the self-assembly conditions this process can be directed in a stepwise fashion. Additionally, the multiple endohedral hydrogen-bonding sites on the ligand were found to play a role in the binding and discrimination of neutral guests.

A versatile diphosphine ligand: cis and trans chelation or bridging, with self association through hydrogen bonding

The diphosphine ligand, N,N'-bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)isophthalamide, dpipa, contains two amide groups and can form cis or trans chelate complexes or cis,cis or trans,trans bridged complexes. The amide groups are likely to be involved in intramolecular or intermolecular hydrogen bonding. This combination of properties of the ligand dpipa leads to very unusual structural properties of its complexes, which often exist as mixtures of monomers and dimers in solution. In the complex [Au2(μ-dpipa)2]Cl2, the ligands adopt the trans,trans bridging mode, with linear gold(I) centers, and the amide groups hydrogen bond to the chloride anions. In [Pt2Cl4(μ-dpipa)2], the ligands adopt the cis,cis bridging mode, with square planar platinum(II) centers, and the amide groups form intermolecular hydrogen bonds to the chloride ligands to form a supramolecular one-dimensional polymer. Both the monomeric and dimeric complexes [PtMe2(dpipa)] and [Pt2Me4(μ-dpipa)2] have cis-PtMe2 units with cis chelating or cis,cis bridging dpipa ligands respectively; each forms a supramolecular dimer through hydrogen bonding between amide groups and each contains an unusual NH···Pt interaction. An attempted oxidative addition reaction with methyl iodide gave the complex [PtIMe(dpipa)], which contains trans chelating dpipa, while a reaction with bromine gave a disordered complex with approximate composition [Pt2Me3Br5(μ-dpipa)2], which contains trans,trans bridging dpipa ligands.