Stimuli-controlled self-assembly of diverse tubular aggregates from one single small monomer

Qixun Shi, Tomas Javorskis, Karl Erik Bergquist, Arturas Ulčinas, Gediminas Niaura, Ieva Matulaitien, Edvinas Orentas, Kenneth Wärnmark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The design and synthesis of new stimuli-responsive hydrogen-bonding monomers that display a diversity of self-assembly pathways is of central importance in supramolecular chemistry. Here we describe the aggregation properties of a simple, intrinsically C2-symmetric enantiopure bicyclic cavity compound bearing a terminally unsubstituted ureidopyrimidinone fragment fused with a pyrrole moiety in different solvents and in the absence and presence of C60 and C70 guests. The tetrameric cyclic aggregate is selectively obtained in chlorinated solvents, where only part of the available hydrogen bonding sites are utilized, whereas in toluene or upon addition of C70 guests, further aggregation into tubular supramolecular polymers is achieved. The open-end cyclic assemblies rearrange into a closed-shell capsule upon introduction of C60 with an accompanied symmetry breaking of the monomer. Our study demonstrates that a C60 switch can be used to simultaneously control the topology and occupancy of tubular assemblies resulting from the aggregation of small monomers.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14943
JournalNature Communications
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Apr 12

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Organic Chemistry

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