Folding of phosphodiester-linked donor-acceptor oligomers into supramolecular nanotubes in water

Abstract : Inspired by the automated synthesis of DNA on solid support, electron-rich dialkxoynaphthalene dialkoxynaphthalene (DAN) donor and electron-deficient-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic diimide (NDI) acceptor, amphiphilic foldamers have been synthesised from their respective phosphoramidite building blocks. The folding of the phosphodiester-linked hexamer (DAN-NDI)3 revealed in water the formation in water of regular supramolecular nanotubes resulting from the self-assembly of multiple hexamers stabilized by donor/acceptor interactions and solvophobic effect.