Stimuli-responsive synthetic helical polymers

Synthetic dynamic helical polymers (supramolecular and covalent) and foldamers share the helix as a structural motif. Although the materials are different, these systems also share many structural properties, such as helix induction or conformational communication mechanisms. The introduction of stimuli responsive building blocks or monomer repeating units in these materials triggers conformational or structural changes, due to the presence/absence of the external stimulus, which are transmitted to the helix resulting in different effects, such as assymetry amplification, helix inversion or even changes in the helical scaffold (elongation, J/H helical aggregates). In this review, we show through selected examples how different stimuli (e.g., temperature, solvents, cations, anions, redox, chiral additives, pH or light) can alter the helical structures of dynamic helical polymers (covalent and supramolecular) and foldamers acting on the conformational composition or molecular structure of their components, which is also transmitted to the macromolecular helical structure.

Anion Tuned Structural Modulation and Nonlinear Optical Effects of Metal-Ion Directed 310 -Helix Networks

Metals play an important role in the structure and functions of various proteins. The combination of metal ions and peptides have been emerging as an attractive field to create advanced structures and biomaterials. Here, we are reporting the anion-influenced, silver ion coordinated diverse networks of designed short tripeptide 310 -helices with terminal pyridyl groups. The short peptides adopted classical right-handed, left-handed and 310 EL -helical conformations in the presence of different silver salts. The peptides have displayed conformational flexibility to accommodate different sizes and interactions of anions to yield a variety of metal-coordinated networks. The complexes of metal ions and peptides have shown different porous networks, right- and left-handed helical polymers, transformation of helix into superhelix and 2 : 2 metal-peptide macrocycles. Further, the metal-peptide crystals with inherent dipoles of helical peptides gave striking second harmonic generation response. The optical energy upconversion from NIR to red and green light is demonstrated. Overall, we have shown the utilization of short 310 -helices for the construction of diverse metal-coordinated helical networks and notable non-linear optical effects.

Roles of Metal Ions in Foldamers and Other Conformationally Flexible Supramolecular Systems

Conformational control is a key prerequisite for much molecular function. As chemists seek to create complex molecules that have applications beyond the academic laboratory, correct spatial positioning is critical. This is particularly true of flexible systems. Conformationally flexible molecules show potential because they resemble in many cases naturally occurring analogues such as the secondary structures found in proteins and peptides such as α-helices and β-sheets. One of the ways in which conformation can be controlled in these molecules is through interaction with or coordination to metal ions. This review explores how secondary structure (i.e., controlled local conformation) in foldamers and other conformationally flexible systems can be enforced or modified through coordination to metal ions. We hope to provide examples that illustrate the power of metal ions to influence this structure toward multiple different outcomes.

Transformation networks of metal-organic cages controlled by chemical stimuli

The flexibility of biomolecules enables them to adapt and transform as a result of signals received from the external environment, expressing different functions in different contexts. In similar fashion, coordination cages can undergo stimuli-triggered transformations owing to the dynamic nature of the metal-ligand bonds that hold them together. Different types of stimuli can trigger dynamic reconfiguration of these metal-organic assemblies, to switch on or off desired functionalities. Such adaptable systems are of interest for applications in switchable catalysis, selective molecular recognition or as transformable materials. This review highlights recent advances in the transformation of cages using chemical stimuli, providing a catalogue of reported strategies to transform cages and thus allow the creation of new architectures. Firstly we focus on strategies for transformation through the introduction of new cage components, which trigger reconstitution of the initial set of components. Secondly we summarize conversions triggered by external stimuli such as guests, concentration, solvent or pH, highlighting the adaptation processes that coordination cages can undergo. Finally, systems capable of responding to multiple stimuli are described. Such systems constitute composite chemical networks with the potential for more complex behaviour. We aim to offer new perspectives on how to design transformation networks, in order to shed light on signal-driven transformation processes that lead to the preparation of new functional metal-organic architectures.

Discrete Self-Assembled Metallo-Foldamers with Heteroleptic Sequence Specificity

Discrete and structurally diverse foldamer sequences are constructed in both natural and abiotic systems primarily using inert connectivity with irreversible organic covalent bonds, serving to preserve the identity of the sequence. The formation of sequences under thermodynamic control using labile coordination bonds would be attractive for synthetic ease and modular capability, but this presents issues regarding sequence preservation. Here is presented an approach integrating palladium(II) metal ions into the sequence itself, with fidelity maintained through use of complementary pairings of ligand arrangements at the metal centre. This is accomplished using sites of different denticity and/or hydrogen bonding capability. In this fashion, discrete and ordered metallo-sequences are formed as thermodynamic products in a single step, and these then fold into defined conformations due to π-π interactions between electron-rich and -poor aromatic regions of the combined componentry.

Sharp Turns and Fluorescent Repeats: Modular Construction and Shape-Dependent Electronic Properties of π-Conjugated Chain Molecules

In search of the design rules for structural ordering of open-chain molecules, we have built a series of zig-zag shaped π-conjugated structures with ring-fused heteroaromatics as sharp turns and tolane-based linear fragments as light-emitting units. Using only a finite number of common building blocks, an efficient "double-elongation" strategy was implemented to construct a series of π-conjugated oligomers with precise length control (55-89 % yields). Our approach takes advantage of the modular nature of the bis(triazolo)benzene synthesis and the masked reactivity of the nitro group. A combination of photophysical and DFT computational studies revealed that the bis(triazolo)benzene-tolane repeat units behave as electronically decoupled light-absorbing/emitting units (λ_max,em = 408-422 nm; Φ_F = 20-25 % in THF). Such context-independent photophysical properties promise their potential applications in chemical sensing and switching.

Extended enantiopure ortho-phenylene ethylene (o-OPE)-based helical systems as scaffolds for supramolecular architectures: a study of chiroptical response and its connection to the CISS effect

Versatile enantiopure helical systems are described and are of interest owing to their intense chiroptical responses, their attractive architecture for metallosupramolecular chemistry and CISS effect.

The Diverse World of Foldamers: Endless Possibilities of Self-Assembly

Different classes of foldamers, which are synthetic oligomers that adopt well-defined conformations in solution, have been the subject of extensive studies devoted to the elucidation of the forces driving their secondary structures and their potential as bioactive molecules. Regardless of the backbone type (peptidic or abiotic), the most important features of foldamers are the high stability, easy predictability and tunability of their folding, as well as the possibility to endow them with enhanced biological functions, with respect to their natural counterparts, by the correct choice of monomers. Foldamers have also recently started playing a starring role in the self-assembly of higher-order structures. In this review, selected articles will be analyzed to show the striking number of self-assemblies obtained for foldamers with different backbones, which will be analyzed in order of increasing complexity. Starting from the simplest self-associations in solution (e.g., dimers of β-strands or helices, bundles, interpenetrating double and multiple helices), the formation of monolayers, vesicles, fibers, and eventually nanostructured solid tridimensional morphologies will be subsequently described. The experimental techniques used in the structural investigation, and in the determination of the driving forces and mechanisms underlying the self-assemblies, will be systematically reported. Where applicable, examples of biomimetic self-assembled foldamers and their interactions with biological components will be described.

Supramolecular chirality transformation driven by monodentate ligand binding to a coordinatively unsaturated self-assembly based on C 3-symmetric ligands

Monodentate ligand binding is facilitated by supramolecular chirality transformations from propeller-shaped chirality into single-twist chirality by altering the self-assembly of C 3-symmetric chiral ligands. The C 3-symmetric chiral ligands (Im R 3Bz and Im S 3Bz) contain three chiral imidazole side arms (Im R  and Im S ) at the 1,3,5-positions of a central benzene ring. Upon coordination to zinc ions (Zn2+), which have a tetrahedral coordination preference, the C 3-symmetric chiral ligands assemble, in a stepwise manner, into a propeller-shaped assembly with a general formula (Im( R or S ) 3Bz)4(Zn2+)3. In this structure each Zn2+ ion coordinates to the three individual imidazole side arms. The resulting assembly is formally coordinatively unsaturated (coordination number, n = 3) and capable of accepting monodentate co-ligands (imidazole: ImH2) to afford a coordinatively saturated assembly [(ImH2)3(Im R 3Bz)4(Zn2+)3]. The preformed propeller-shaped chirality is preserved during this transformation. However, an excess of the monodentate co-ligand (ImH2/Zn2+ molar ratio of ∼1.7) alters the propeller-shaped assembly into a stacked dimer assembly [(ImH2) m (Im R 3Bz)2(Zn2+)3] (m = 4-6) with single-twist chirality. This switch alters the degree of enhancement and the circular dichroism (CD) pattern, suggesting a structural transition into a chiral object with a different shape. This architectural chirality transformation presents a new approach to forming dynamic coordination-assemblies, which have transformable geometric chiral structures.

Encapsulation of dihydrogenphosphate ions as a cyclic dimer to the cavities of site-specifically modified indolocarbazole-pyridine foldamers

Site-specifically modified aromatic foldamers can encapsulate dihydrogen phosphate ions as a cyclic dimer via the formation of twelve hydrogen bonds.

Quadruple hybridization of quinoline–triazole oligomers

A series of quinoline–triazole oligomers self-assembled into quadruple helical structures is presented.