We describe here a unique family of pore-forming anion-transporting peptides possessing a single-amino-acid-derived peptidic backbone that is the shortest among natural and synthetic pore-forming peptides. These monopeptides with built-in H-bonding capacity self-assemble into an H-bonded 1D columnar structure, presenting three types of exteriorly arranged hydrophobic side chains that closely mimic the overall topology of an α-helix. Dynamic interactions among these side chains and membrane lipids proceed in a way likely similar to how α-helix bundle is formed. This subsequently enables oligomerization of these rod-like structures to form ring-shaped ensembles of varying sizes with a pore size of smaller than 1.0 nm in diameter but sufficiently large for transporting anions across the membrane. The intrinsic high modularity in the backbone further allows rapid tuning in side chains for combinatorial optimization of channel's ion-transport activity, culminating in the discovery of an exceptionally active anion-transporting monopeptide 6L10 with an EC of 0.10 μM for nitrate anions.
An economic and eco-friendly straightforward synthesis of highly diversified N-acylated 2-aminoquinolines is successfully achieved via Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-promoted amidation of quinoline N-oxides with nitriles. The advantage of this present process is highlighted by its easily accessible starting materials, excellent functional group tolerance, 100% atom economy, operational simplicity, and clean reaction profile.
Compared to the most active anion-transporting channel that requires a channel:lipid molar ratio of 1:330 (0.3 mol % relative to lipid) to achieve 50% activity, a structurally simple pore-forming tripeptide 6L 3 10 was found to exhibit an extraordinarily strong ability to self-assemble into stable possibly barrel-shaped exceptionally active channels, with record-low EC 50 values of 4.0, 3.0, 1.6, 2.6, and 2.6 nM (e.g., 0.005−0.013 mol % relative to lipid) for Cl − , Br − , I − , NO 3 −
A safe, practical and eco-friendly method for the switchable synthesis of sulfoxides and sulfones through visible-light-initiated oxygenation of sulfides at ambient temperature under transition-metal-, additives-free and minimal solvent conditions. The...
Triptycene-derived macrotricyclic polyether was proved to be an efficient "molecular glue" for crosslinking the copolymer containing dibenzylammonium salts to form supramolecular polymer networks via host-guest complexation, which was evidenced by 1 H NMR spectroscopy, solution viscometry, and formation of transparent and elastic supramolecular polymer gels. Interestingly, a well-defined porous structure of the supramolecular polymer gel could be observed at the fully cross-linked density, and its mechanical properties could be modulated by the amount of the macrotricyclic host added to the system. Moreover, the supramolecular polymer gel showed acid/base-and thermo-induced reversible gel-sol transitions. Additionally, the supramolecular polymer gel could also be employed for the encapsulation and controllable release of squaraine dyes, which might find potential applications in materials science.
Phenanthrene[2]arene 1 with excellent adsorption capacity for benzene was synthesized in high yield. Activated crystals of 1 have been successfully used to separate PhH from equimolar mixture of PhH and Cy and the purity of the PhH can reach 98.4%.
Multi-stimuli responsive organogels based on low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications. Herein, the synthesis and the self-assembly behavior of a novel molecular gelator based on a tetrapeptide-dithienylcyclopentene conjugate is described. This gelator forms stable gels in THF, acetone and acetonitrile, in which the formation of anti-parallel b-sheets of the biomimetic tetrapeptides is the key driving force. Further studies suggest that the organogel is multi-responsive to various external stimuli including temperature, light, chemicals, and mechanical force. Moreover, in the presence of catechol, this gelator forms a more robust organogel, accompanied by a dramatic change of the assembly manner and rheological properties. These prominent features of this conjugate make it an excellent smart soft material with potential applications in areas such as drug encapsulation and release systems.
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