Here, we report a [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene (BTBT) derivative functionalized with a β-sheet-forming peptide which alternates in its sequence Phe and Glu residues. The BTBT core is a popular structural motif in the design of high-mobility organic semiconductors. The insertion of the self-assembling subunit allows control of the supramolecular organization. This molecule self-assembles in water to give hydrogels over a broad range of pH values. Hydrogelation is triggered by both pH changes and variations in salt concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy shows the formation of long-range self-assembled 1D structures. The key role of hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions in hierarchical self-assembly is investigated using absorption, emission, infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopy. This is the first example of demonstrating the formation of supramolecular hydrogels containing the BTBT structure.
Fortunato, A., Sanzone, A., Mattiello, S., Beverina, L., Mba, M. (2021). The pH- And salt-controlled self-assembly of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene-peptide conjugates in supramolecular hydrogels. NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, 45(30), 13389-13398 [10.1039/d1nj02294f].
The pH- And salt-controlled self-assembly of [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene-peptide conjugates in supramolecular hydrogels
Sanzone A.;Mattiello S.;Beverina L.
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2021
Abstract
Here, we report a [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]-benzothiophene (BTBT) derivative functionalized with a β-sheet-forming peptide which alternates in its sequence Phe and Glu residues. The BTBT core is a popular structural motif in the design of high-mobility organic semiconductors. The insertion of the self-assembling subunit allows control of the supramolecular organization. This molecule self-assembles in water to give hydrogels over a broad range of pH values. Hydrogelation is triggered by both pH changes and variations in salt concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy shows the formation of long-range self-assembled 1D structures. The key role of hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions in hierarchical self-assembly is investigated using absorption, emission, infrared and circular dichroism spectroscopy. This is the first example of demonstrating the formation of supramolecular hydrogels containing the BTBT structure.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.