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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Synthesis of Information-bearing Peptoids and their Sequence-directed Dynamic Covalent Self-assembly
Published on: February 6, 2020
Interplay of interactions governing the dynamic conversions of acyclic and macrocyclic helicates
Victoria E Campbell1, Xavier de Hatten, Nicolas Delsuc
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
Abstract:
A rigid, helical macrocycle that contains two copper(I) ions has been synthesized through subcomponent self-assembly. Although it does not obey the "rule of coordinative saturation", this macrocycle could be prepared through subcomponent substitution starting from a tri(copper(I)) helicate, in a reaction in which copper(I) was ejected. The macrocycle was observed to readily participate in a sequence of transformations between helical structures mediated by the electronic effects of substituents, entropic effects, the conformational preferences of organic building blocks, and the coordinative preferences of the metal ion. The thermodynamic parameters governing the interconversion of an "open" helicate and the "closed" macrocycle were determined through van 't Hoff analysis, allowing quantification of the entropic driving force for macrocyclization.
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