Supramolecular Assembly Based on Calix(4)arene and Aggregation-Induced Emission Photosensitizer for Phototherapy of Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Skin Flap Transplantation

Photodynamic therapy as a burgeoning and non-invasive theranostic technique has drawn great attention in the field of antibacterial treatment but often encounters undesired phototoxicity of photosensitizers during systemic circulation. Herein, a supramolecular substitution strategy is proposed for phototherapy of drug-resistant bacteria and skin flap repair by using macrocyclic p-sulfonatocalix(4)arene (SC4A) as a host, and two cationic aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens), namely TPE-QAS and TPE-2QAS, bearing quaternary ammonium group(s) as guests. Through host-guest assembly, the obtained complex exhibits obvious blue fluorescence in the solution due to the restriction of free motion of AIEgens and drastically inhibits efficient type I ROS generation. Then, upon the addition of another guest 4,4'-benzidine dihydrochloride, TPE-QAS can be competitively replaced from the cavity of SC4A to restore its pristine ROS efficiency and photoactivity in aqueous solution. The dissociative TPE-QAS shows a high bacterial binding ability with an efficient treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dark and light irradiation. Meanwhile, it also exhibits an improved survival rate for MRSA-infected skin flap transplantation and largely accelerates the healing process. Thus, such cascaded host-guest assembly is an ideal platform for phototheranostics research.

Modulating β-catenin homeostasis for cancer therapy

β-Catenin is a well-established driver of many cancers; however, there are challenges in developing agents targeting β-catenin for clinical use. Recent progress has indicated that most of the pathological changes in β-catenin may be commonly caused by loss of protein homeostasis. Modulation of β-catenin homeostasis, especially by hyperactivation of β-catenin, potentially leads to robust antitumor outcomes. Here, we comprehensively dissect the protein homeostasis of β-catenin in terms of time, compartmentalization, supramolecular assemblies, and dynamics, with emphasis on changes in β-catenin homeostasis upon oncogenic mutations. We propose that altered β-catenin homeostasis could be deleterious for β-catenin-dependent cancers and that modulation of β-catenin homeostasis offers a novel avenue for targeting β-catenin for cancer therapy.

Optimized Polymeric Membranes for Water Treatment: Fabrication, Morphology, and Performance

Conventional polymers, endowed with specific functionalities, are extensively utilized for filtering and extracting a diverse set of chemicals, notably metals, from solutions. The main structure of a polymer is an integral part for designing an efficient separating system. However, its chemical functionality further contributes to the selectivity, fabrication process, and resulting product morphology. One example would be a membrane that can be employed to selectively remove a targeted metal ion or chemical from a solution, leaving behind the useful components of the solution. Such membranes or products are highly sought after for purifying polluted water contaminated with toxic and heavy metals. An efficient water-purifying membrane must fulfill several requirements, including a specific morphology attained by the material with a specific chemical functionality and facile fabrication for integration into a purifying module Therefore, the selection of an appropriate polymer and its functionalization become crucial and determining steps. This review highlights the attempts made in functionalizing various polymers (including natural ones) or copolymers with chemical groups decisive for membranes to act as water purifiers. Among these recently developed membrane systems, some of the materials incorporating other macromolecules, e.g., MOFs, COFs, and graphene, have displayed their competence for water treatment. Furthermore, it also summarizes the self-assembly and resulting morphology of the membrane materials as critical for driving the purification mechanism. This comprehensive overview aims to provide readers with a concise and conclusive understanding of these materials for water purification, as well as elucidating further perspectives and challenges.

Weakly Self-Assembled [6]Helicenes: Circularly Polarized Light and Spin Filtering Properties

Self-assembling features, chiroptical activity, and spin filtering properties are reported for 2,15- and 4,13-disubstituted [6]helicenes decorated in their periphery with 3,4,5-tris(dodecyloxy)-N-(4-ethynylphenyl)benzamide moieties. The weak non-covalent interaction between these units conditions the corresponding circularly polarized luminescence and spin polarization. The self-assembly is overall weak for these [6]helicene derivatives that, despite the formation of H-bonding interactions between the amide groups present in the peripheral moieties, shows very similar chiroptical properties both in the monomeric or aggregated states. This effect could be explained by considering the steric effect that these groups could generate in the growing of the corresponding aggregate formed. Importantly, the self-assembling features also condition chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS effect), with experimental spin polarization (SP) values found between 35-40 % for both systems, as measured by magnetic-conducting atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique.

Tunable Multicolor Lanthanide Supramolecular Assemblies with White Light Emission Confined by Cucurbituril[7]

Macrocyclic confinement-induced supramolecular luminescence materials have important application value in the fields of bio-sensing, cell imaging, and information anti-counterfeiting. Herein, a tunable multicolor lanthanide supramolecular assembly with white light emission is reported, which is constructed by co-assembly of cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) encapsulating naphthylimidazolium dicarboxylic acid (G1 )/Ln (Eu3+ /Tb3+ ) complex and carbon quantum dots (CD). Benefiting from the macrocyclic confinement effect of CB[7], the supramolecular assembly not only extends the fluorescence intensity of the lanthanide complex G1 /Tb3+ by 36 times, but also increases the quantum yield by 28 times and the fluorescence lifetime by 12 times. Furthermore, the CB[7]/G1 /Ln assembly can further co-assemble with CD and diarylethene derivatives (DAE) to realize the intelligently-regulated full-color spectrum including white light, which results from the competitive encapsulation of adamantylamine and CB[7], the change of pH, and photochromic DAE. The multi-level logic gate based on lanthanide supramolecular assembly is successfully applied in anti-counterfeiting system and information storage, providing an effective method for the research of new luminescent intelligent materials.

Porous and Close Packed Supramolecular Assemblies from 2,4-Difluoronitrobenzene with Three Different Linkers and an n-Butylamine Cap

A porous structure formed from sheets with cavities and two close packed structures were crystallised from building blocks prepared from 2,4-difluoronitrobenzene, a diamine linker and n-butylamine. The porous structure crystallised from a flexible building block prepared using 1,4-diaminobutane as linker. The close packed structures were prepared using either piperazine or 1,4-bis(aminomethyl)benzene as a linker and have less conformational freedom.

Excitation-Dependent Fluorescence with Excitation-Selective Circularly Polarized Luminescence from Hierarchically Organized Atomic Nanoclusters

Nanometer-scaled objects are known to have dimension-related properties, but sometimes the assembly of such objects can lead to the emergence of other properties. Here, we show the assembly of atomically precise gold nanoclusters into large fibrillar structures that are featuring excitation-dependent luminescence with an excitation-selective circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), even though all components are achiral. The origin of CPL in the assembly of atomic clusters has been attributed to the hierarchical organization of atomic clusters into fibrillar structures, mediated via a hydrogen bonding interaction with a surfactant. We follow the assembly process both experimentally and computationally showing the advance in the structural formation along with its chiroptical electronic properties, i.e., circular dichroism (CD) and CPL. Our study here can assist in the rational design of materials featuring chiroptical properties, thus leading to a controlled CPL activity.

Assembly of Helical Nanostructures: Solvent-Induced Morphology Transition and Its Effect on Cell Adhesion

Being able to precisely manipulate both the morphology and chiroptical signals of supramolecular assemblies will help to better understand the natural biological self-assembly mechanism. Two simple l/d-phenylalanine-based derivatives (L/DPFM) have been designed, and their solvent-dependent morphology evolutions are illustrated. It was found that, as the content of H₂ O in aqueous ethanol solutions was increased, LPFM self-assembles first into right-handed nanofibers, then flat fibrous structures, and finally inversed left-handed nanofibers. Assemblies in ethanol and H₂ O exhibit opposite conformations and circular dichroism (CD) signals even though they are constructed from the same molecules. Thus, the morphology-dependent cell adhesion and proliferation behaviors are further characterized. Left-handed nanofibers are found to be more favorable for cell adhesion than right-handed nanostructures. Quantitative AFM analysis showed that the L929 cell adhesion force on left-handed LPFM fibers is much higher than that on structures with inversed handedness. Moreover, the value of cell Young's modulus is lower for left-handed nanofibrous films, which indicates better flexibility. The difference in cell-substrate interactions might lead to different effects on cell behavior.

A comprehensive review on bio-mimicked multimolecular frameworks and supramolecules as scaffolds for enzyme immobilization

Immobilization depicts a propitious route to optimize the catalytic performances, efficient recovery, minimizing autocatalysis, and also augment the stabilities of enzymes, particularly in unnatural environments. In this opinion, supramolecules and multimolecular frameworks have captivated immense attention to achieve profound controllable interactions between enzyme molecules and well-defined natural or synthetic architectures to yield protein bioconjugates with high accessibility for substrate binding and enhanced enantioselectivities. This scholastic review emphasizes the possibilities of associating multimolecular complexes with biological entities via several types of interactions, namely covalent interactions, host-guest complexation, π - π ${\rm{\pi }}-{\rm{\pi }}$ interactions, intra/inter hydrogen bondings, electrostatic interactions, and so forth offers remarkable applications for the modulations of enzymes. The potential synergies between artificial supramolecular structures and biological systems are the primary concern of this pedagogical review. The majority of the research primarily focused on the dynamic biomolecule-responsive supramolecular assemblages and multimolecular architectures as ideal platforms for the recognition and modulation of proteins and cells. Embracing sustainable green demeanors of enzyme immobilizations in a quest to reinforce site-selectivity, catalytic efficiency, and structural integrality of enzymes are the contemporary requirements of the biotechnological sectors that instigate the development of novel biocatalytic systems.

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Properties of Self-Assembled Dipeptide Nanotubes

Over recent decades, multidrug-resistant pathogens have become a global concern, with WHO even considering it one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today, which led to the search for alternative antibacterial agents. A special class is formed by peptides composed by the diphenylalanine motif whose antibacterial properties result from their supramolecular arrangement into nanotubes. However, several other dipeptides that also form nanotubes have been largely overlooked. Here, we present the antibacterial activity of four dipeptide nanotubes. The results point to diverse mechanisms through which dipeptide nanotubes exert their effect against bacteria. Antibacterial activity was similar for dipeptide nanotubes sufficiently wide to allow water flux while dipeptides displaying smaller channels were inactive. This suggests that two of the tested dipeptides, L-Phe-L-Phe (FF, diphenylalanine) and L-Leu-L-Ser (LS), are pore forming structures able to induce membrane permeation and affect cellular hydration and integrity. Of these two dipeptides, only FF demonstrated potential to inhibit biofilm formation. The amyloid-like nature and hydrophobicity of diphenylalanine assemblies are probably responsible for their adhesion to cell surfaces preventing biofilm formation and bacteria attachment.

The First Noncovalent-Bonded Supramolecular Frameworks of (Benzylthio)Acetic Acid with Proline Compounds, Isonicotinamide and Tryptamine

The co-crystallization of (benzylthio)acetic acid (HBTA) with L-proline (L-PRO), D-proline (D-PRO), DL-proline (DL-PRO), isonicotinamide (INA) and tryptamine (TPA) led to the formation of five novel crystalline compounds: L-PRO^±·HBTA (1), D-PRO^±·HBTA (2), DL-PRO^±·HBTA (3), INA·HBTA (4) and TPA⁺·BTA^- (5). The prepared supramolecular assemblies were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, an elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and a thermal analysis based on thermogravimetry (TG) combined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, their melting points through TG/DSC measurements were established. All fabricated adducts demonstrated the same stoichiometry, displayed as 1:1. The integration of HBTA with selected N-containing co-formers yielded different forms of multi-component crystalline phases: zwitterionic co-crystals (1-3), true co-crystal (4) or true salt (5). In the asymmetric units of 1-4, the acidic ingredient is protonated, whereas the corresponding N-containing entities take either the zwitterionic form (1-3) or remain in the original neutral figure (4). The molecular structure of complex 5 is occupied by the real ionic forms of both components, namely the (benzylthio)acetate anion (BTA^-) and the tryptaminium cation (TPA⁺). In crystals 1-5, the respective molecular residues are permanently bound to each other via strong H-bonds provided by the following pairs of donor···acceptor: O_carboxylic···O_carboxylate and N_{pyrrolidinium}···O_carboxylate in 1-3, O_carboxylic···N_pyridine and N_amine···O_carboxylic in 4 as well as N_indole···O_carboxylate and N_aminium···O_carboxylate in 5. The crystal structures of conglomerates 1-5 are also stabilized by numerous weaker intermolecular contacts, including C-H···O (1-3, 5), C-H···S (1, 2, 5), C-H···N (5), C-H···C (5), C-H···π (1-5) as well as π···π (4) interactions. The different courses of registered FT-IR spectral traces and thermal profiles for materials 1-5 in relation to their counterparts, gained for the pure molecular ingredients, also clearly confirm the formation of new crystalline phases.

Proton Conducting Membranes with Molecular Self Assemblies and Ionic Channels for Efficient Proton Conduction

Supramolecular assemblies are vital for biological systems. This phenomenon in artificial materials is directly related to their numerous properties and their performance. Here, a simple approach to supramolecular assemblies is employed to fabricate highly efficient proton conducting molecular wires for fuel cell applications. Small molecule-based molecular assembly leading to a discotic columnar architecture is achieved, simultaneously with proton conduction that can take place efficiently in the absence of water, which otherwise is very difficult to obtain in interconnected ionic channels. High boiling point proton facilitators are incorporated into these columns possessing central ionic channels, thereby increasing the conduction multifold. Larger and asymmetrical proton facilitators disintegrated the self-assembly, resulting in low proton conduction efficiency. The highest conductivity was found to be approaching 10^-2 S/cm for the molecular wires in an anhydrous state, which is ascribed to the continuous network of hydrogen bonds in which protons can hop between with a lower energy barrier. The molecular wires with ionic channels presented here have potential as an alternative to proton conductors operating under anhydrous conditions at both low and high temperatures.

Aqueous Supramolecular Co-Assembly of Anionic and Cationic Photoresponsive Stiff-Stilbene Amphiphiles

Fabrication of macroscopic soft functional materials, such as macroscopic photoresponsive soft materials and artificial muscles, can be commonly prepared by charge screening of supramolecular assemblies with inorganic salt solutions using a shear-flow method. However, some of the charged end-groups of photoresponsive molecular amphiphiles cannot be stabilized with inorganic salt solutions to fabricate macroscopic soft materials. We design and synthesize stiff stilbene amphiphiles (SAs) functionalized with anionic phosphite and cationic quaternary ammonium end groups and determine their photochemical and supramolecular assembly properties. Supramolecular co-assembly of anionic and cationic nanotubes of SAs allows to transform into nanoribbons, confirmed by TEM, CAC, and Zeta potential measurements. Nanoribbons of anionic and cationic SAs can be prepared into macroscopic soft materials with inorganic salt solutions and surprisingly also with deionized water. The macroscopic soft material of anionic and cationic SAs can be stabilized at low concentration ∼5 mM. Meanwhile, the photoresponsiveness of the macroscopic soft materials is retained to provide macroscopic morphological change upon photoirradiation. These results exhibit the feasibility in fabrication of macroscopic functional soft materials from supramolecular assembly across multiple length-scale without help of inorganic salts and offer ample opportunity in developing future soft supramolecular robotic systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, Structure-Property Evaluation and Biological Assessment of Supramolecular Assemblies of Bioactive Glass with Glycyrrhizic Acid and Its Monoammonium Salt

Medical nutrients obtained from plants have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times, owning to the protective and therapeutic properties of plant extracts and products. Glycyrrhizic acid is one of those that, apart from its therapeutic effect, may contribute to stronger bones, inhibiting bone resorption and improving the bone structure and biomechanical strength. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a bioactive glass (BG) addition to the structure–property relationships of supramolecular assemblies formed by glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and its monoammonium salt (MSGA). FTIR spectra of supramolecular assemblies evidenced an interaction between BG components and hydroxyl groups of MSGA and GA. Moreover, it was revealed that BG components may interact and bond to the carboxyl groups of MSGA. In order to assess their biological effects, BG, MSGA, and their supramolecular assemblies were introduced to a culture of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). Both the BG and MSGA had positive influence on BMSC growth, viability, and osteogenic differentiation—these positive effects were most pronounced when BG1d-BG and MSGA were introduced together into cell culture in the form of MSGA:BG assemblies. In conclusion, MSGA:BG assemblies revealed a promising potential as a candidate material intended for application in bone defect reconstruction and bone tissue engineering approaches.

Targeted Chemical Modifications Identify Key Features of Carbohydrate Assemblies and Generate Tailored Carbohydrate Materials

The molecular level description of carbohydrate assemblies is hampered by their structural complexity and the lack of suitable analytical methods. Here, we employed systematic chemical modifications to identify key non-covalent interactions that triggered the supramolecular assembly of a disaccharide model. While some modifications disrupted the supramolecular organization, others were tolerated, delivering important information on the aggregation process. The screening identified new geometries, including nanotubes, and twisted ribbons that were characterized with electron tomography and electron diffraction (ED) methods. This work demonstrates that the combination of synthetic chemistry and ED methods is a powerful tool to draw correlations between the molecular structure and the nanoscale architecture of carbohydrate assemblies.

Tabletized Supramolecular Assemblies for Sublingual Peptide Immunization

Widespread vaccination is essential to global health. Significant barriers exist to improving vaccine coverage in lower- and middle-income countries, including the costly requirements for cold-chain distribution and trained medical personnel to administer the vaccines. A heat-stable and highly porous tablet vaccine that can be administered sublingually via simple dissolution under the tongue is described. SIMPL tablet vaccines (Supramolecular IMmunization with Peptides subLingually) are produced by freeze-drying a mixture of self-assembling peptide-polymer nanofibers, sugars, and adjuvant. Sublingual immunization with SIMPL tablets raises antibody responses against both a model epitope from ovalbumin and a clinically relevant epitope from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Further, sublingual antibody responses are not diminished after heating the tablets for 1 week at 45 °C, in contrast to a more conventional carrier vaccine (KLH). This approach directly addresses the need for a heat-stable and easily deliverable vaccine to improve equity in global vaccine coverage.

Redox-Active Supramolecular Heteroleptic M4 L2 L'2 Assemblies with Tunable Interior Binding Site

Three Pt4 L2 L'2 heteroleptic rectangles (1-3), containing ditopic redox-active bis-pyridine functionalized perylene bisimide (PBI) ligands PBI-pyr2 (L) are reported. Co-ligand L' is a dicarboxylate spacer of varying length, leading to modified overall size of the assemblies. 1 H NMR spectroscopy reveals a trend in the splitting and upfield chemical shift of the PBI-hydrogens in the rectangles with respect to free PBI, most pronounced with the largest strut length (3) and least with the smallest strut length (1). This is attributed to increased rotational freedom of the PBI-pyr2 ligand over its longitudinal axis (Npy -Npy ), due to increased distance between the PBI-surfaces, which is corroborated by VT-NMR measurements and DFT calculations. The intramolecular motion entails desymmetrization of the two PBI-ligands, in line with cyclic voltammetry (CV) data. The first (overall two-electron) reduction event and re-oxidation for 1 display a subtle peak-to-peak splitting of 60 mV, whilst increased splitting of this event is observed for 2 and 3. The binding of pyrene in 1 is probed to establish proof of concept of host-guest chemistry enabled by the two PBI-motifs. Fitting the binding curve obtained by 1 H NMR titration with a 1:1 complex formation model led to a binding constant of 964±55 m-1 . Pyrene binding is shown to directly influence the redox-chemistry of 1, resulting in a cathodic and anodic shift of approximately 46 mV on the first and second reduction event, respectively.

Chirality of Liquid Crystals Formed from Achiral Molecules Revealed by Resonant X-Ray Scattering

Intensive research on chiral liquid crystals (LCs) has been fueled by their actively tunable physicochemical properties and structural complexity, comparable to those of sophisticated natural materials. Herein, recent progress in the discovery of new classes of chiral LCs, enabled by a combination of nano- and macroscale investigations is reviewed. First, an overview is provided of liquid crystalline phases, made of chiral and achiral low-weight molecules, that exhibit chiral structure and/or chiral morphology. Then, recent progress in the discovery of new classes of chiral LCs, particularly enabled by the application of resonant X-ray scattering is described. It is shown that the method is sensitive to modulations of molecular orientation and therefore provides information hardly accessible by means of other techniques, such as the sense of helical structures or chirality transfer across length scales. Finally, a perspective is presented on the future scope, opportunities, and challenges in the field of chiral LCs, in particular related to nanocomposites.

Fundamental Aspects of Xanthene Dye Aggregation on the Surfaces of Nanocluster Polyoxometalates: H- to J-Aggregate Switching

The induced aggregation of the xanthene dye rhodamine B (RhB) on metal oxide centers belonging to the highly symmetric surfaces of precise nanoscale templates with Keplerate (Mo₁₃₂ ) or toroidal (Mo₁₃₈ ) structures has been studied. With the joint use of the Langmuir isotherm and full Stern-Volmer models, the thermodynamic reasons for dye adsorption on the nanocluster surface, such as a mixture of monomer, H-aggregate (H-dimer), and J-aggregate forms (which can coexist or switch one into another under the exact conditions), were established: this was shown through UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. By using the framework of the exciton model, it is shown that the angle (α) between the transition dipole moments of RhB is very sensitive to surface strain inside the dye sub-monolayer. As a result, it is possible to switch from H- to J-aggregates by the post-functionalization of polyoxometalate (POM)-RhB associates by the surfactant bilayer shell, which allows the surface strain to grow. Recommendations are provided for managing the appearance of H- or J-aggregates on metal oxide (or polyelectrolyte) surfaces during photovoltaic or bioimaging applications.

Protein Delivery into the Cell Cytosol using Non-Viral Nanocarriers

Protein delivery into cells is a potentially transformative tool for treating "undruggable" targets in diseases associated with protein deficiencies or mutations. The vast majority of these targets are accessed via the cytosol, a challenging prospect for proteins with therapeutic and diagnostic relevance. In this review we will present promising non-viral approaches for intracellular and ultimately cytosolic delivery of proteins using nanocarriers. We will also discuss the mechanistic properties that govern the efficacy of nanocarrier-mediated protein delivery, applications of nanomaterials, and key challenges and opportunities in the use of nanocarriers for intracellular protein delivery.

Peripheral Modifications of meso-Hydroxyporphyrins: Formation of π-Electronic Anions and Ion-Pairing Assemblies

Phenyl groups were introduced at the β-positions proximal to the meso-hydroxy moiety in hydroxyporphyrin Ni^II complexes by oxidized BINAP Pd^II complexes. Ion-pairing assemblies of deprotonated π-electronic anions, anionic site of which was stabilized by the introduced phenyl moieties with a bulky cation, were formed. They showed charge-by-charge assemblies, assembly modes of which were modulated by the anionic building units.

One Dimensional Enhanced Anhydrous Proton Conduction in Well Defined Molecular Columns Induced by Non-Covalent Interactions

1D anhydrous proton conduction is enhanced significantly in ionic channels created by self-assembly of functionalized organic phosphonic acid and aromatic heterocyclic 1,2,4-triazole molecules. This study reveals high proton conduction in one dimension through a well-defined supramolecular architecture in which two different molecules undergo host-guest synergy and self-assemble to provide two-fold advantages: 1) formation of the ionic channels and 2) higher proton conduction in the absence of water. A clear correlation is found between the phenomena of ionic channels and anhydrous conductivity in the absolute dry state and we demonstrate that the one-dimensional conductivity can be as high as that recorded for 3D channels in, for instance, Nafion.

Selection of Secondary Structures of Heterotypic Supramolecular Peptide Assemblies by an Enzymatic Reaction

In a model study to investigate the consequence of reactions of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins in the context of the formation of highly ordered structures, we found that enzymatic reactions control the secondary structures of peptides during assembly. Specifically, phosphorylation of an α-helix-dominant peptide results in mostly disordered conformations, which become β-strand-dominant after enzymatic dephosphorylation to regenerate the peptide. In the presence of another peptide largely with a β-strand conformation, direct coassembly of the peptides results in amorphous aggregates consisting of α-helix and β-strand peptides, but the enzymatically generated peptide coassemblies (from the phosphopeptide) mainly adopt a β-strand conformation and form ordered structures (e.g., nanofibers). These results indicate that enzymatic dephosphorylation instructs conformationally flexible peptides to adopt thermodynamically favorable conformations in homotypic or heterotypic supramolecular assemblies.

Supramolecular Assemblies on Surfaces: Nanopatterning, Functionality, and Reactivity

Understanding how molecules interact to form large-scale hierarchical structures on surfaces holds promise for building designer nanoscale constructs with defined chemical and physical properties. Here, we describe early advances in this field and highlight upcoming opportunities and challenges. Both direct intermolecular interactions and those that are mediated by coordinated metal centers or substrates are discussed. These interactions can be additive, but they can also interfere with each other, leading to new assemblies in which electrical potentials vary at distances much larger than those of typical chemical interactions. Earlier spectroscopic and surface measurements have provided partial information on such interfacial effects. In the interim, scanning probe microscopies have assumed defining roles in the field of molecular organization on surfaces, delivering deeper understanding of interactions, structures, and local potentials. Self-assembly is a key strategy to form extended structures on surfaces, advancing nanolithography into the chemical dimension and providing simultaneous control at multiple scales. In parallel, the emergence of graphene and the resulting impetus to explore 2D materials have broadened the field, as surface-confined reactions of molecular building blocks provide access to such materials as 2D polymers and graphene nanoribbons. In this Review, we describe recent advances and point out promising directions that will lead to even greater and more robust capabilities to exploit designer surfaces.

Ion-Pairing Assemblies of π-Electronic Anions Formed by Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding

π-Extended nitro-substituted dipyrrolylphenol derivatives were synthesized, and upon deprotonation they provided π-electronic anions stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the phenolate (phenoxide) moiety and the pyrrole NH group. Ion-pairing assemblies of the deprotonated anions were formed in the solid state and as mesophases. In the solid state, the extended π plane was found to be more suitable to form charge-by-charge assemblies in combination with tetraalkylammonium cations with highly anisotropic orientations as a result of efficient stacking. The mesophase also included a charge-by-charge assembly comprising the deprotonated anion bearing aliphatic chains, as revealed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis.

Self-Assembly of a [1 + 1] Ionic Hexagonal Macrocycle and Its Antiproliferative Activity

A unique irregular hexagon was self-assembled using an organic donor clip (bearing terminal pyridyl units) and a complementary organometallic acceptor clip. The resulting metallamacrocycle was characterized by multinuclear NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Molecular modeling confirmed hexagonal shaped cavity for this metallamacrocycle which is a unique example of a discrete hexagonal framework self-assembled from only two building blocks. Cytotoxicity of the Pt-based acceptor tecton and the self-assembled Pt^II-based macrocycle was evaluated using three cancer cell lines and results were compared with cisplatin. Results confirmed a positive effect of the metallamacrocycle formation on cell growth inhibition.

Lipid and Nucleic Acid Chemistries: Combining the Best of Both Worlds to Construct Advanced Biomaterials

Hybrid synthetic amphiphilic biomolecules are emerging as promising supramolecular materials for biomedical and technological applications. Herein, recent progress in the field of nucleic acid based lipids is highlighted with an emphasis on their molecular design, synthesis, supramolecular properties, physicochemical behaviors, and applications in the field of health science and technology. In the first section, the design and the study of nucleolipids are in focus and then the glyconucleolipid family is discussed. In the last section, recent contributions of responsive materials involving nucleolipids and their use as smart drug delivery systems are discussed. The supramolecular materials generated by nucleic acid based lipids open new challenges for biomedical applications, including the fields of medicinal chemistry, biosensors, biomaterials for tissue engineering, drug delivery, and the decontamination of nanoparticles.

Recent Advances in Nucleic Acid Targeting Probes and Supramolecular Constructs Based on Pyrene-Modified Oligonucleotides

In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the use of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides as a platform for functional nucleic acid-based constructs. Pyrene is of special interest for the development of nucleic acid-based tools due to its unique fluorescent properties (sensitivity of fluorescence to the microenvironment, ability to form excimers and exciplexes, long fluorescence lifetime, high quantum yield), ability to intercalate into the nucleic acid duplex, to act as a π-π-stacking (including anchoring) moiety, and others. These properties of pyrene have been used to construct novel sensitive fluorescent probes for the sequence-specific detection of nucleic acids and the discrimination of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), aptamer-based biosensors, agents for binding of double-stranded DNAs, and building blocks for supramolecular complexes. Special attention is paid to the influence of the design of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides on their properties, i.e., the structure-function relationships. The perspectives for the applications of pyrene-modified oligonucleotides in biomolecular studies, diagnostics, and nanotechnology are discussed.

Photo-Responsive Soft Ionic Crystals: Ion-Pairing Assemblies of Azobenzene Carboxylates

This report delineates the design and synthesis of negatively charged azobenzene derivatives that form photo-responsive ion-pairing assemblies. The azobenzene carboxylates possessing aliphatic chains were prepared as photo-responsive anions that promote the formation of ion-pairing dimension-controlled assemblies, including mesophases, when used in conjunction with a tetrabutylammonium (TBA) cation. The photo-responsive properties of the ion pairs and the precursory carboxylic acids in the bulk state were examined by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), demonstrating that liquid crystal (LC)-liquid and crystal-liquid phase transitions occurred, depending on the number and lengths of the aliphatic chains of each assembly. An ion pair exhibited photo-induced crystal-crystal phase transitions upon switching between two irradiation wavelengths (365/436 nm).

Design and Fabrication of a Novel Stimulus-Feedback Anticorrosion Coating Featured by Rapid Self-Healing Functionality for the Protection of Magnesium Alloy

Corrosion potential stimulus-responsive smart nanocontainers (CP-SNCs) are designed and synthesized based on the installation of the supramolecular assemblies (bipyridinium ⊂ water-soluble pillar[5]arenes) onto the exterior surface of magnetic nanovehicles (Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂), linked by disulfide linkers. The supramolecular assemblies with high binding affinity as gatekeepers effectively block the encapsulated organic corrosion inhibitor, 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), within the mesopores of Fe₃O₄@mSiO₂. When the corrosion potential of the magnesium alloy (-1.5 V vs SHE) is exerted, 8-HQ is released instantly because of the cleavage of disulfide linkers and the removal of the supramolecular assemblies. CP-SNCs were incorporated into the hybrid organic-inorganic sol-gel coating to construct a corrosion potential stimulus-feedback anticorrosion coating (CP-SFAC) that was then deposited on the magnesium alloy, AZ31B. With the aid of a magnetic field, CP-SNCs were gathered in the proximity of the surface of AZ31B. CP-SFAC showed a satisfactory anticorrosion performance, more importantly, through the evaluation of microzone electrochemical techniques. CP-SFAC presented the rapid self-healing functionality when the localized corrosion occurred. Shortening the distance between CP-SNCs and the surface of AZ31B enhances the availability of the incorporated CP-SNCs and makes most of the CP-SNCs to timely respond to the corrosion potential stimulus and facilitates the formation of a compact molecular protective film before the corrosion products pile up. The characteristics of fast response time and quick self-healing rate meet the requirements of the magnesium alloy for self-healing in local regions.

Understanding Surface and Interfacial Chemistry in Functional Nanomaterials via Solid-State NMR

Surface and interfacial chemistry is of fundamental importance in functional nanomaterials applied in catalysis, energy storage and conversion, medicine, and other nanotechnologies. It has been a perpetual challenge for the scientific community to get an accurate and comprehensive picture of the structures, dynamics, and interactions at interfaces. Here, some recent examples in the major disciplines of nanomaterials are selected (e.g., nanoporous materials, battery materials, nanocrystals and quantum dots, supramolecular assemblies, drug-delivery systems, ionomers, and graphite oxides) and it is shown how interfacial chemistry can be addressed through the perspective of solid-state NMR characterization techniques.

Cation Tuning of Supramolecular Gel Properties: A New Paradigm for Sustained Drug Delivery

Hydrogels formed by the self-assembly of low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) are promising scaffolds for drug-delivery applications. A new biocompatible hydrogel, resulting from the self-assembly of nucleotide-lipid salts can be safely injected in vivo. The resulting hydrogel provides sustained-release of protein for more than a week.

PolyWhips: Directional Particle Transport by Gradient-Directed Growth and Stiffening of Supramolecular Assemblies

Growth of rigid rods occurs via supramolecular assembly of a nonconjugated π-donor π-acceptor monomer and is triggered by a NaCl gradient. The mechanical stiffness of this material is controlled by the local salt concentration and is ion specific. The continuous and well-controlled growth process is exploited to power the directional transport of sub-millimeter polymer particles.

Discrimination of Metalloproteins by a Mini Sensor Array Based on Bispyrene Fluorophore/Surfactant Aggregate Ensembles

Fluorescent sensor arrays with pattern recognition ability have been widely used to detect and identify multiple chemically similar analytes. In the present work, two particular bispyrene fluorophores containing hydrophilic oligo(oxyethylene) spacer, 6 and 4, were synthesized, but one is with and the other is without cholesterol unit. Their ensembles with cationic surfactant (CTAB) assemblies realize multiple fluorescence responses to different metalloproteins, including hemoglobin, myoglobin, ferritin, cytochrome c, and alcohol dehydrogenase. The combination of fluorescence variation at monomer and excimer emission of the two binary sensor ensembles enables the mini sensor array to provide a specific fingerprint pattern to each metalloprotein. Linear discriminant analysis shows that the two-ensemble-sensor-based array could well discriminate the five tested metalloproteins. The present work realizes using a mini sensor array to accomplish discrimination of complex analytes like proteins. They also display a very high sensitivity to the tested metalloproteins with detection limits in the range of picomolar concentration.

Bis-(1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidino), (2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridino) and (1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidino)-substituted dicyanoquinodimethanes: consequences of flexible ethylene spacers with heterocyclic moieties and amine functionalities

Heterocyclic building blocks possessing ethylene spacer and amine functionality such as 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine (1,2-AEPi), 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (2,2-AEPy) and 1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidine (1,2-AEPr) were reacted with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) to give disubstituted compounds namely bis-(1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidino)dicyanoquinodimethane (1), bis-(2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridino)dicyanoquinodimethane (2) and bis-(1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrrolidino)dicyanoquinodimethane (3). Utilization of 1,2-AEPi, 2,2-AEPy and 1,2-AEPr as disubstituents on TCNQ has resulted in interesting crystal structures. Inter- and intramolecular hydrogen-bond mediated and expanded supramolecular structures were observed in the lattices of the crystals. Strong fluorescence was observed in solids and solutions. (2) showed a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) whereas (1) and (3) were found to be SHG inactive. All compounds possess good thermal stabilities.

Carbamate-Based Bolaamphiphile as Low-Molecular-Weight Hydrogelators

A new bolaamphiphile analog featuring carbamate moieties was synthesized in six steps starting from thymidine. The amphiphile structure exhibits nucleoside-sugar polar heads attached to a hydrophobic spacer via carbamate (urethane) functions. This molecular structure, which possesses additional H-bonding capabilities, induces the stabilization of low-molecular-weight gels (LMWGs) in water. The rheological studies revealed that the new bolaamphiphile 7 stabilizes thixotropic hydrogels with a high elastic modulus (G′ > 50 kPa).

Design of Catalytic Peptides and Proteins Through Rational and Combinatorial Approaches

This review focuses on recent progress in noncomputational methods to introduce catalytic function into proteins, peptides, and peptide assemblies. We discuss various approaches to creating catalytic activity and classification of noncomputational methods into rational and combinatorial classes. The section on rational design covers recent progress in the development of short peptides and oligomeric peptide assemblies for various natural and unnatural reactions. The section on combinatorial design describes recent advances in the discovery of catalytic peptides. We present the future prospects of these and other new approaches in a broader context, including implications for functional material design.

Fluorescent Ensemble Based on Bispyrene Fluorophore and Surfactant Assemblies: Sensing and Discriminating Proteins in Aqueous Solution

A particular bispyrene fluorophore (1) with two pyrene moieties covalently linked via a hydrophilic spacer was synthesized. Fluorescence measurements reveal that the fluorescence emission of 1 could be well modulated by a cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB). Protein sensing studies illustrate that the selected ensemble based on 1/DTAB assemblies exhibits ratiometric responses to nonmetalloproteins and turn-off responses to metalloproteins, which can be used to differentiate the two types of proteins. Moreover, negatively charged nonmetalloproteins can be discriminated from the positively charged ones according to the difference in ratiometric responses. Fluorescence sensing studies with control bispyrenes indicate that the polarity of the spacer connecting two pyrene moieties plays an important role in locating bispyrene fluorophore in DTAB assemblies, which further influences its sensing behaviors to noncovalent interacting proteins. This study sheds light on the influence of the probe structure on the sensing performance of a fluorescent ensemble based on probe and surfactant assemblies.

Supramolecular assemblies of nucleoside functionalized carbon nanotubes: synthesis, film preparation, and properties

Nucleoside-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs) were synthesized and characterized. A self-organization process using hydrogen bonding interactions was then used for the fabrication of self-assembled N-MWCNTs films free of stabilizing agents, polymers, or surfactants. Membranes were produced by using a simple water-dispersion-based vacuum-filtration method. Hydrogen-bond recognition was confirmed by analysis with IR spectroscopy and TEM images. Restoration of the electronic conduction properties in the N-MWCNTs membranes was performed by removing the organic portion by thermal treatment under an argon atmosphere to give d-N-MWCNTs. Electrical conductivity and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements confirmed the efficiency of the annealing process. Finally, oxidative biodegradation of the films N-MWCNTs and d-N-MWCNTs was performed by using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and low concentrations of H2 O2 . Our results confirm that functional groups play an important role in the biodegradation of CNT by HRP: N-MWCNTs films were completely biodegraded, whereas for d-N-MWCNTs films no degradation was observed, showing that the pristine CNT undergoes minimal enzyme-catalyzed oxidation This novel methodology offers a straightforward supramolecular strategy for the construction of conductive and biodegradable carbon nanotube films.

Supramolecular architectures of N-acetyl-L-proline monohydrate and N-benzyl-L-proline

The title compounds, N-acetyl-L-proline monohydrate, C7H11NO3·H2O, (I), and N-benzyl-L-proline, C12H15NO2, (II), crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21 with Z' = 1 and Z' = 2, respectively. The conformation of C(γ) with respect to the carboxylic acid group in (I) is C(γ)-exo or UP pucker, with the pyrrolidine ring twisted, while in (II), it is C(γ)-endo or DOWN, with the pyrrolidine ring assuming an envelope conformation. The crystal packing interactions in (I) are composed of two substructures, one characterized by an R6(6)(24) motif through O-H...O hydrogen bonds and the other by an R4(4)(23) ring through C-H...O interactions. In (II), the crystal packing interactions consist of N-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Proline (Pro) exists in its neutral form in (I) and is zwitterionic in (II). This difference in the ionization states of Pro is manifested through the absence of N-H...O and presence of O-H...O interactions in (I), and the presence of N-H...O and absence of O-H...O hydrogen bonds in (II). While C-H...O interactions are present in both (I) and (II), the geometry of the synthons formed by them and their mode of participation in intermolecular interactions is different. Though the title compounds differ significantly in terms of modifications in the Pro skeleton, the differences in their supramolecular structures may also be viewed as a result of the molecular recognition facilitated by the presence of a solvent water molecule in (I) and the zwitterionic state of the amino acid in (II).

Two methyl 3-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1-carboxylates form different hydrogen-bonded sheets

In the molecules of both methyl (1RS,3SR,3aRS,6aSR)-1-methyl-3-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-4,6-dioxo-5-phenyloctahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1-carboxylate, C₂₅H₂₄N₄O₄, (I), and methyl (1RS,3SR,3aRS,6aSR)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-3-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-4,6-dioxooctahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1-carboxylate, C₂₅H₂₃ClN₄O₄, (II), the two rings of the pyrrolopyrrole fragment are both nonplanar, with conformations close to half-chair forms. The overall conformations of the molecules of (I) and (II) are very similar, apart from the orientation of the ester function. The molecules of (I) are linked into sheets by a combination of an N-H∙∙∙π(pyrrole) hydrogen bond and three independent C-H∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds. The molecules of (II) are also linked into sheets, which are generated by a combination of an N-H∙∙∙N hydrogen bond and two independent C-H∙∙∙O hydrogen bonds, weakly augmented by a C-H∙∙∙π(arene) hydrogen bond.