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Solvophobically driven folding of nonbiological oligomers
J C Nelson1, J G Saven, J S Moore
1Department of Chemistry, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 20, 1997
Summary
Synthetic polymers can now fold into stable, helical structures with large cavities, mimicking biopolymers. This folding is driven by solvophobic interactions and influenced by chain length, solvent, and temperature.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Biopolymers exhibit complex three-dimensional folding in solution.
- Analogous folding behavior in synthetic polymers is a recent area of exploration.
- Understanding synthetic polymer folding is crucial for developing novel materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon backbone that self-folds.
- To investigate the driving forces and characteristics of this folding behavior.
- To explore the influence of external factors on the folding process.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of an aromatic hydrocarbon backbone.
- Characterization of the conformational properties in solution.
- Analysis of folding behavior under varying conditions (chain length, solvent, temperature).
Main Results:
- The aromatic hydrocarbon backbone spontaneously adopts a stable helical conformation.
- The helical structure possesses a significant internal cavity.
- Folding is driven by solvophobic interactions, not intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
- The folding transition is sensitive to chain length, solvent quality, and temperature.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic polymers can achieve complex, stable folded structures analogous to biopolymers.
- Solvophobic interactions are a key mechanism for driving self-folding in these synthetic systems.
- The conformational behavior of these synthetic polymers can be precisely controlled by external parameters.