Synthetic approaches of carbohydrate based self-assembling systems.

Area of Science:

• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Carbohydrate Chemistry

Background:

• Carbohydrate-based self-assembling (SA) systems are crucial for bottom-up fabrication of advanced biocompatible materials.
• The study of sugar-based small molecule self-assembly spans diverse research fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review synthetic strategies, assembly mechanisms, properties, and applications of carbohydrate-based SA systems.
• Focus on small molecule SA systems (monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, glycolipids, glycopeptides, glycoconjugates) published between January 2020 and December 2023.
• Exclude polymer-based systems.

Main Methods:

• Categorization based on sugar structures.
• Discussion of synthesis for representative molecular systems.
• Analysis of properties of resulting molecular assemblies.
• Focus on low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs), micelles, aggregates, and stimulus-responsive systems (dynamic covalent, chemical-triggered, photoresponsive).

Main Results:

• Recent advancements in synthetic approaches for various carbohydrate-based SA systems.
• Insights into the mechanisms governing self-assembly processes.
• Characterization of properties and diverse applications of self-assembled carbohydrate structures.
• Highlighting stimulus-responsive systems for gel formation.

Conclusions:

• Carbohydrate-based small molecule SA systems offer versatile platforms for developing novel biocompatible materials.
• Understanding synthesis and assembly mechanisms is key to tailoring material properties for specific applications.
• Stimulus-responsive systems represent a promising frontier in advanced material design.