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| Open AccessMagnetic control of self-assembly and disassembly in organic materials
Organic molecules and materials are generally insensitive or weakly sensitive to magnetic fields due to their small diamagnetic force. Here, the authors show a strategy to amplify the magnetic responsiveness of self-assembled peptide nanostructures by synergistically combining the concepts of perfect α-helix and rod-coil supramolecular building blocks
- You-jin Jung
- , Hyoseok Kim
- & Yong-beom Lim
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Article
| Open Access[2,2] Paracyclophanes-based double helicates for constructing artificial light-harvesting systems and white LED device
The construction of efficient artificial lightharvesting (ALH) systems is of vital importance in utilizing solar energy. Here, the authors report the non-covalent syntheses of double helicates by metalcoordination interaction and their applications in ALHSs and white LED device
- Zhe Lian
- , Jing He
- & Hua Jiang
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Article
| Open AccessSwitching imidazole reactivity by dynamic control of tautomer state in an allosteric foldamer
Molecular biology achieves control over complex reaction networks by means of molecular systems that translate a chemical input into an orthogonal chemical output but the application of dynamic foldamers has been limited by the restriction to stereochemical changes that produce spectroscopic signals. Here, the authors present an artificial molecular translation device that converts a chemical input into an unrelated chemical output.
- David P. Tilly
- , Jean-Paul Heeb
- & Jonathan Clayden
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Article
| Open AccessHierarchical porous photosensitizers with efficient photooxidation
Photosensitizers (PS) with nano- or micro-sized pore provide a great promise in the conversion of light energy into chemical fuel but pore deformation and blocking often decreases the catalytic efficiency. Here, the authors prepare an ordered porous PSs by cross-linking hierarchical porous assemblies of hydrogen donating PSs and functionalized acceptors.
- Yajun Fang
- , Yuntian Yang
- & Zhegang Huang
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Article
| Open AccessChemically routed interpore molecular diffusion in metal-organic framework thin films
In heterogeneous porous systems diffusion rate is controlled by pore window sizes and concentration gradient. Here authors show that in a porous metal-organic framework system, the diffusion direction can be orthogonal to the concentration gradient.
- Tanmoy Maity
- , Pratibha Malik
- & Ritesh Haldar
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Article
| Open AccessRepurposing host-guest chemistry to sequester virulence and eradicate biofilms in multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Rapid antibiotic resistance in bacteria is putting pressure on both existing therapies as well as the development pipeline. Here, the authors present a dual-acting anti-virulence treatment that evades antibiotic resistance mechanisms and remains effective against Top Priority pathogens.
- Christopher Jonkergouw
- , Ngong Kodiah Beyeh
- & Markus B. Linder
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Article
| Open AccessA supramolecular gel-elastomer system for soft iontronic adhesives
Electroadhesion in soft robotics provides controllable interfacial attraction for robotic functionalities but materials selection is limited. Here, Gao et. al. present an iontronic adhesive to design a soft iontronic gripper with self-healability, tunable adhesion at reduced voltages and rapid release.
- Dace Gao
- , Gurunathan Thangavel
- & Pooi See Lee
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Article
| Open AccessAnomalous deep-red luminescence of perylene black analogues with strong π-π interactions
Perylene bisimide dyes are high-performance pigments that have red, maroon or black colors, but with typically only weak fluorescence in the solid state. Here, the authors report a series of π-stacked PBI derivatives that show highly efficient deep-red fluorescence in the solid state.
- Ningning Tang
- , Jiadong Zhou
- & Zengqi Xie
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Article
| Open AccessAmyloid-polysaccharide interfacial coacervates as therapeutic materials
Liquid-liquid phase separation offer a strategy for targeting biomaterial scaffolds, but controlling assembly to form functional materials is challenging. Here, the authors transform native proteins into amyloid fibres for assembly, and use the materials as a gastric ulcer protective agent.
- Mohammad Peydayesh
- , Sabrina Kistler
- & Raffaele Mezzenga
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-entropy alloy nanopatterns by prescribed metallization of DNA origami templates
Morphology, composition, and uniformity of highly entropic nanoalloys are critical to their properties and applications. Here, the authors develop a DNA origami-based metallization reaction concept for the precise synthesis of multimetallic nanopatterns.
- Mo Xie
- , Weina Fang
- & Huajie Liu
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Article
| Open AccessFour distinct network patterns of supramolecular/polymer composite hydrogels controlled by formation kinetics and interfiber interactions
Synthetic hydrogels composed of covalent polymers and supramolecular fibers have been investigated for controlled delivery of biopharmaceuticals, but characterisation of the structures and properties can be challenging. Here, the authors report an imaging study for the composite network, categorizing into four distinct patterns controlled by network formation kinetics and interactions between
- Keisuke Nakamura
- , Ryou Kubota
- & Itaru Hamachi
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Article
| Open AccessPhotothermally induced natural vibration for versatile and high-speed actuation of crystals
Soft robotics is a growing field, and requires versatile actuation methodology. Here, the authors report high-speed bending of anisole crystals due to natural vibration, induced and amplified by photothermal effect.
- Yuki Hagiwara
- , Shodai Hasebe
- & Hideko Koshima
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Article
| Open AccessPolymerizable rotaxane hydrogels for three-dimensional printing fabrication of wearable sensors
While hydrogels find applications in wearable sensors and electronic skins, they are prone to fatigue fractures upon deformation cycling. Xiong et al. report the synthesis of conductive polymerizable rotaxane hydrogels, exhibiting large fatigue resistance, for 3D printable flexible sensors.
- Xueru Xiong
- , Yunhua Chen
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-efficiency gold recovery by additive-induced supramolecular polymerization of β-cyclodextrin
Eco-friendly, efficient, and selective gold recovery technologies are urgently desired to satisfy the increasing demand for gold. Here, the authors report one such technology based on the supramolecular polymerization of second-sphere coordinated adducts formed between β-cyclodextrin and tetrabromoaurate anions.
- Huang Wu
- , Yu Wang
- & J. Fraser Stoddart
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Article
| Open AccessBioinspired crowding directs supramolecular polymerisation
Crowding effects have long been established as powerful guiding forces in natural assembly processes. Here the authors report a bioinspired approach translating this phenomenon to artificial supramolecular polymers.
- Nils Bäumer
- , Eduardo Castellanos
- & Gustavo Fernández
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Article
| Open AccessSupramolecular framework membrane for precise sieving of small molecules, nanoparticles and proteins
Synthetic framework materials are appealing candidates for the fabrication of separation membranes but realizing precise control of aperture distribution and separation threshold remains challenging. Here, the authors show a two-dimensional processible supramolecular framework which can be used in the fabrication of separation membranes by integrating directional organic host-guest motifs and inorganic functional polyanionic clusters.
- Guohua Zhang
- , Xinyue Li
- & Lixin Wu
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Article
| Open AccessEnzyme-like polyene cyclizations catalyzed by dynamic, self-assembled, supramolecular fluoro alcohol-amine clusters
Terpene cyclases enable the synthesis of (poly)cyclic carbon frameworks via ring closure of linear polyenes. Here, the authors report in-situ formed fluorinated-alcohol-amine supramolecular clusters that mimic terpene cyclases for shape-controlled polyene cyclizations.
- Andreas M. Arnold
- , Philipp Dullinger
- & Tanja Gulder
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Article
| Open AccessSpatially non-uniform condensates emerge from dynamically arrested phase separation
Biomolecular condensates with internal structure allow cells to further organise their processes. In this work the authors investigate how condensates can obtain an internal structure with droplets of dilute phase inside via kinetic, rather than purely thermodynamic driving forces.
- Nadia A. Erkamp
- , Tomas Sneideris
- & Tuomas P. J. Knowles
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Article
| Open AccessCation controlled rotation in anionic pillar[5]arenes and its application for fluorescence switch
Controlling molecular motion is challenging. Here, the authors report the effect of counter cations on the rotational barriers of hydroquinone rings in a molecular rotor based on anionic pillar[5]arenes.
- Hao Zheng
- , Lulu Fu
- & Leyong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessA supramolecular cucurbit[8]uril-based rotaxane chemosensor for the optical tryptophan detection in human serum and urine
Sensing small biomolecules in biofluids using host-guest chemosensors remains challenging, in part due to the impact of interfering components. Here, the authors develop a dual-macrocyclic rotaxane for tryptophan detection which can function in biofluids such as human serum and urine.
- Joana Krämer
- , Laura M. Grimm
- & Frank Biedermann
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Article
| Open AccessBiomolecular condensates formed by designer minimalistic peptides
The molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of biomolecular condensates have not been fully elucidated. Here the authors show that the LLPS propensity, dynamics, and encapsulation efficiency of designed peptide condensates can be tuned by subtle changes to the peptide composition.
- Avigail Baruch Leshem
- , Sian Sloan-Dennison
- & Ayala Lampel
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Article
| Open AccessPreferential molecular recognition of heterochiral guests within a cyclophane receptor
The design of synthetic supramolecular receptors capable of enantioselective molecular recognition is challenging. Here the authors report a perylene bisimide-based receptor that forms heterochiral host-guest complexes upon aromatic guests encapsulation; guest recognition can be modulated by peripheral substitution of the binding site.
- Manuel Weh
- , Kazutaka Shoyama
- & Frank Würthner
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Article
| Open AccessA self-standing three-dimensional covalent organic framework film
Fabrication of 3D covalent organic framework thin films is challenging. Here the authors report on a liquid-liquid interfacial approach based on physical-organic considerations to synthesize an ultrathin covalent crystal film.
- Yizhou Yang
- , Yanyan Chen
- & Karl Börjesson
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Article
| Open AccessSymmetry-breaking host–guest assembly in a hydrogen-bonded supramolecular system
Self-assembly processes usually yield symmetric compounds. Here, the authors report the distortion of a symmetric hydrogen-bonded resorcin[4]arene cage upon encapsulation of an iridium complex.
- Shinnosuke Horiuchi
- , Takumi Yamaguchi
- & Keisuke Umakoshi
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Article
| Open AccessGuest-adaptive molecular sensing in a dynamic 3D covalent organic framework
Organic macrocycles and cages have been well-developed as porous solids for gas detection but balancing adaptability and robustness in these materials remains challenging. Here, the authors report a dynamic 3D covalent organic framework that can undergo concerted and adaptive structural transitions upon adsorption of gas and vapours.
- Lei Wei
- , Tu Sun
- & Yue-Biao Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessMicro and nano-scale compartments guide the structural transition of silk protein monomers into silk fibers
By following morphological changes in supramolecular assemblies of silkworm silk, the authors find that while the initial steps of secretion and storage inside the silk gland follow the micelle theory of silk assembly, a phase rearrangement occurs inside microscale spherical structures that gives rise to the formation of nanoscale spherical assemblies.
- D. Eliaz
- , S. Paul
- & U. Shimanovich
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Article
| Open AccessDirect observation of long-range chirality transfer in a self-assembled supramolecular monolayer at interface in situ
Unravelling the mechanism of chirality transfer in supramolecular assemblies is important to understand the relationship between molecular chirality and supramolecular chirality. Here, the authors use nonlinear spectroscopy and molecular dynamic simulations to study the long-range chirality transfer in a self-assembled supramolecular system.
- Yuening Zhang
- , Xujin Qin
- & Zhen Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessHalogen-bonded shape memory polymers
Halogen bonding is widely adopted in organic synthesis and supramolecular crystal engineering but application of halogen bonding in the design of stimuli-responsive materials is challenging. Here, the authors report a liquid crystalline network that contains dynamic halogen-bond crosslinks and possesses reversible thermo-responsive shape memory behaviour.
- Hongshuang Guo
- , Rakesh Puttreddy
- & Arri Priimagi
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Article
| Open AccessReal-time chirality transfer monitoring from statistically random to discrete homochiral nanotubes
Monitoring chirality transfer during self-assembly processes is challenging. Here, the authors study the assembly of chiral pillar[5]arene-based nanotubes; diastereomerically pure trimeric nanotubes are synthesized from a mixture of pillar[5]arene compounds.
- Shixin Fa
- , Tan-hao Shi
- & Tomoki Ogoshi
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Article
| Open AccessStereoisomeric engineering of aggregation-induced emission photosensitizers towards fungal killing
Fungal infections are often major causes of disease in immune compromised patients and photodynamic therapy offers and attractive treatment. Here, the authors develop stereoisomeric photosensitizers via supramolecular assembly and demonstrate aggregation-induced photodynamic action against fungi.
- Wenping Zhu
- , Ying Li
- & Ben Zhong Tang
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Article
| Open AccessAmplification of integrated microscopic motions of high-density [2]rotaxanes in mechanically interlocked networks
Amplifying molecular motion to macroscopic material property is attractive but challenging. Here, the authors report mechanically interlocked networks with dense rotaxane backbones whose microscopic motion is integrated into decent mechanical properties of bulk materials.
- Xue Yang
- , Lin Cheng
- & Xuzhou Yan
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Article
| Open AccessWater-stable porous Al24 Archimedean solids for removal of trace iodine
The removal of radioactive elements is important to human health and sustainable development. Here, the authors reveal the synthesis of water-stable Archimedean solids based on the earth-abundant element for the fast removal of trace iodine.
- Ya-Jie Liu
- , Yi-Fan Sun
- & Jian Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessFormation of supramolecular channels by reversible unwinding-rewinding of bis(indole) double helix via ion coordination
Synthetic supramolecular double-stranded helical systems that can undergo reversible unwinding are rare. Here, the authors report bis(indole)-based double helix systems that unwind in the presence of chloride, forming supramolecular ion channels; Addition of silver enables the regeneration of the double helix.
- Debashis Mondal
- , Manzoor Ahmad
- & Pinaki Talukdar
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Article
| Open AccessLactose azocalixarene drug delivery system for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa infected diabetic ulcer
Infection is a major issue in chronic diabetic wounds. Here, the authors report on a hypoxia triggered drug delivery system to achieve higher drug levels with controlled release to treat wounds infected with multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa and demonstrate antibacterial and anti-biofilm action
- Juan-Juan Li
- , Yuqing Hu
- & Dong-Sheng Guo
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Article
| Open AccessSupramolecular photodynamic agents for simultaneous oxidation of NADH and generation of superoxide radical
Tumour hypoxia is a major issue for conventional photodynamic therapies, Here, the authors report on the supramolecular assembly of electron acceptors with photosensitizers which have improved reactive oxygen species production and are able to directly oxidise NHDH and demonstrate application against hypoxic tumours.
- Kun-Xu Teng
- , Li-Ya Niu
- & Qing-Zheng Yang
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Article
| Open AccessCoemissive luminescent nanoparticles combining aggregation-induced emission and quenching dyes prepared in continuous flow
Developing efficient light harvesting systems at low cost is a challenge. Here, the authors synthesized coemissive dyes in a continuous flow microreactor featuring a controlled cascade FRET process combining aggregation-induced emission and quenching.
- Chong Li
- , Qi Liu
- & Shengyang Tao
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Article
| Open AccessCholesterol-stabilized membrane-active nanopores with anticancer activities
Bacterial cells utilize cholesterol-enhanced pore formation to specifically target eukaryotic cells. Here, the authors present a class of bio-inspired, cholesterol-enhanced nanopores which display anticancer activities in vitro.
- Jie Shen
- , Yongting Gu
- & Huaqiang Zeng
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Article
| Open AccessControllable DNA hybridization by host–guest complexation-mediated ligand invasion
Direct dissociation of nucleic acid duplex structures without heating or specific binding proteins is challenging. Here the authors use the cucurbit[7]uril-based host–guest system to construct a ligand-invasion pathway for controllable DNA hybridisation.
- Lin Xiao
- , Liang-Liang Wang
- & Liang Xu
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Article
| Open AccessEvolution of Br⋯Br contacts in enantioselective molecular recognition during chiral 2D crystallization
Halogen-mediated interactions control molecular recognition in many chemical and biological systems. Here, the authors demonstrate two types of Br⋯Br contacts and their importance in chiral on-surface crystallization.
- Zhen-Yu Yi
- , Xue-Qing Yang
- & Li-Jun Wan
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Article
| Open AccessA self-complementary macrocycle by a dual interaction system
In nature, HIV capsid consists of single class of protein unit by self-complementarity. Here, the authors find that a molecular tweezer forms a cyclic hexamer by its continuous host-guest behavior, and constructs a large cuboctahedron by hierarchical assembly.
- Yuta Sawanaka
- , Masahiro Yamashina
- & Shinji Toyota
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Article
| Open AccessField-induced orientational switching produces vertically aligned Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets
In this work, authors demonstrate reversible vertical alignment of Ti3C2Tx MXene sheets induced by an applied in-plane electric field. Further modulation of the field can achieve programmed patterns onto various electrode substrates.
- Changjae Lee
- , Soon Mo Park
- & Dong Ki Yoon
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Article
| Open AccessReconstitution of microtubule into GTP-responsive nanocapsules
GTP-triggered release from drug carriers has huge potential in cancer therapy but current carriers suffers from off target release due to ATP also acting as a trigger. Here, the authors report on the development of a microtubule capsule which is engineered to be responsive to only GTP not ATP and demonstrate targeted drug delivery.
- Noriyuki Uchida
- , Ai Kohata
- & Takuzo Aida
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-sorting in macroscopic supramolecular self-assembly via additive effects of capillary and magnetic forces
The selective assembly of μm-to-mm sized components is challenging because of the short-ranged molecular recognition. Here, the authors demonstrate a self-sorting mechanism to automatically identify the surface chemistry via additivity and competence between long-ranged magnetic/capillary forces.
- Minghui Tan
- , Pan Tian
- & Feng Shi
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Article
| Open AccessControl cell migration by engineering integrin ligand assembly
Engineering peptide assembly that controls integrin ligand presentation on the molecular level possesses by far the highest ligand density, expanding the perspective of ligand-density-dependent modulation.
- Xunwu Hu
- , Sona Rani Roy
- & Ye Zhang
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Article
| Open AccessDynamically stable and amplified circularly polarized excimer emission regulated by solvation of chiral co-assembly process
Chiral supramolecular assembly is an important strategy for the development of excellent circularly polarized luminescent (CPL)-active materials, but often they suffer from low quantum yield and luminescence dissymmetry factor. Herein, the authors we report a chiral coassembly process of achiral pyrene-based dyes leading to chiral excimers emitting with a high dissymmetry factor.
- Yuxia Zhang
- , Hang Li
- & Yixiang Cheng
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Article
| Open AccessMeasuring anion binding at biomembrane interfaces
Quantification of anion binding by molecular receptors within lipid bilayers is challenging. Here, the authors synthesise a high-affinity macrocyclic anion receptor which provides insights into determinants of anion binding within lipid bilayers.
- Xin Wu
- , Patrick Wang
- & Philip A. Gale
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Article
| Open AccessSelective separation of light rare-earth elements by supramolecular encapsulation and precipitation
The separation of the rare-earth elements is a significant scientific challenge. Here, the authors report the selective precipitation of the light rare-earths as supramolecular capsules from acidic, industrially relevant, mixed-metal solutions.
- Joseph G. O’Connell-Danes
- , Bryne T. Ngwenya
- & Jason B. Love
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Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to “Inconsistencies in the specific nucleobase pairing motif prone to photodimerization in a MOF nanoreactor”
- Samantha L. Anderson
- , Peter G. Boyd
- & Kyriakos C. Stylianou
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Article
| Open AccessSteering the multiexciton generation in slip-stacked perylene dye array via exciton coupling
Understanding structure-property relationship of dye arrays is of great importance for designing organic photonic and photovoltaic materials. Here, authors present a slip-stacked perylene bisimide array as a model system to investigate singlet fission mechanisms by depending upon interchromophoric interaction.
- Yongseok Hong
- , Maximilian Rudolf
- & Frank Würthner