Modulating the Nucleated Self-Assembly of Tri-beta(3)-Peptides Using Cucurbitnurils

摘要

The modulation of the hierarchical nucleated self-assembly of tri-beta(3)-peptides has been studied. beta(3)-Tyrosine provided a handle to control the assembly process through host-guest interactions with CB7 and CB8. By varying the cavity size from CB7 to CB8 distinct phases of assembling tri-beta(3)-peptides were arrested. Given the limited size of the CB7 cavity, only one aromatic beta(3)-tyrosine can be simultaneously hosted and, hence, CB7 was primarily acting as an inhibitor of self-assembly. In strong contrast, the larger CB8 can form a ternary complex with two aromatic amino acids and hence CB8 was acting primarily as cross-linker of multiple fibers and promoting the formation of larger aggregates. General insights on modulating supramolecular assembly can lead to new ways to introduce functionality in supramolecular polymers.