Hydrophobic and hydrophilic yoctowells

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Molecular monolayers can create nanoscale cavities.
• Self-assembly of lipids and amphiphiles is key to creating nanostructures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize yoctoliter-sized wells (yoctowells) for molecular trapping.
• To explore different trapping mechanisms (kinetic and thermodynamic) within these wells.
• To demonstrate the potential of yoctowells as simplified models for biological modules.

Main Methods:

• Formation of rigid molecular monolayers from alpha,omega-diamido lipids on surfaces.
• Adsorption of cyclic edge amphiphiles to form hydrophobic walls of yoctowells.
• Utilizing kinetic trapping with specific amphiphiles (e.g., trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol, cellobiose, tyrosine).
• Employing thermodynamic trapping with oligoethylene or oligoamide walls for amines and amides.
• Sorting and fixation of porphyrins and other molecules within the yoctowells.

Main Results:

• Yoctoliter-sized gaps (yoctowells) were successfully formed around porphyrin islands.
• Irreversible molecular trapping via kinetic trapping was achieved using specific amphiphiles.
• Reversible molecular trapping via thermodynamic trapping was demonstrated for amines and amides.
• Porphyrins were sorted into stacks within yoctowells, with a fourth molecule fixed at the rim.
• Yoctowells proved easy to prepare, characterize, and modify.

Conclusions:

• Yoctowells offer a versatile platform for controlled molecular encapsulation and organization.
• The study demonstrates tunable molecular trapping based on wall composition and trapping mechanism.
• Yoctowells serve as valuable, simplified models for understanding biological molecular assemblies and functions.