Au(I) complexes installed on a self-assembled peptide efficiently catalyze intramolecular cyclization reactions

Self-assembled peptides are used for diverse applications in the biomedical and technological fields. The morphology and function of the assembled systems are dictated by the peptide sequence and length. In this work, a supramolecular catalyst was obtained upon self-assembly of the diphenylalanine peptide conjugated to a triphenylphosphine Au(I) complex in acetonitrile. The assembled molecules were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and by scanning electron microscopy. The activity of the catalyst was tested on two substrates in cyclization reactions. The morphology and the dimensions of the assembled systems vary depending on the presence of a carboxyl versus an amide C-terminal end. The catalyst efficiently promotes intramolecular cyclization reactions. Results obtained encourage the use of self-assembled peptides for the obtainment of new and efficient catalysts.