Aquatic Self-Assembly of Sixteen Subunits into a 39-kDa Dendrimer

摘要

We have developed the 8-(m-acetylphenyl)-2′-deoxyguanosine (>mAG) scaffold for the self-assembly of supramolecules in water and for the synthesis of self-assembled dendrimers (SADs) in organic media. Previously, reported >mAG assemblies showed promising characteristics for the construction of SADs. Yet, none of these SADs had large enough dendrons to reach a fractal geometry characteristic of high-generation dendrimers. Here we present the synthesis, as well as the molecular and supramolecular characterization of a fourth generation hydrophilic self-assembled hexadecameric dendrimer [mAGD4(OH)16]16•3KI (>316) with a size and shape akin to globular proteins. The diameter of >316 (5.0 nm) was measured by Pulsed Field Gradient NMR and Dynamic Light Scattering experiments, which enabled the construction of a computer-generated molecular model. This SAD represents an attractive platform for biomedical applications due to its water solubility, discreteness, well defined structure, thermal stability (Tm= 68 °C), and functional core.