Supramolecular Self-Sorting Networks Using Hydrogen-Bonded Motifs

Coubrough, H.; Lubbe, S.C.C. van der; Parashiv, K.; Minard, A.; Pask, C.; Howard, M.; ... ; Wilson, A.J. (2018)

Article / Letter to editor

A current objective in supramolecular chemistry is to mimic the transitions between complex self‐sorted systems that represent a hallmark of regulatory function in nature. In this work, a self‐sorting network, comprising linear hydrogen motifs, was created. Selecting six hydrogen‐bonding motifs capable of both high‐fidelity and promiscuous molecular recognition gave rise to a complex self‐sorting system, which included motifs capable of both narcissistic and social self‐sorting. Examination of the interactions between individual components, experimentally and computationally, provided a rationale for the product distribution during each phase of a cascade. This reasoning holds through up to five sequential additions of six building blocks, resulting in the construction of a biomimetic network in which the presence or absence of different components provides multiple unique pathways to distinct self‐sorted configurations.

• All authors: Coubrough, H.; Lubbe, S.C.C. van der; Parashiv, K.; Minard, A.; Pask, C.; Howard, M.; Fonseca Guerra, C.; Wilson, A.J.
• Date: 2018-10-31
• Journal: Chemistry-a European Journal
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 785 - 795
• DOI: doi:10.1002/chem.201804791