Hydrogen bonding directed self-assembly of small-molecule amphiphiles in water

Org Lett. 2014 Aug 1;16(15):4016-9. doi: 10.1021/ol501841f. Epub 2014 Jul 18.

Abstract

Compounds comprising one or two quadruply hydrogen bonding units, 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) and tris(tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether) moieties, were reported to form highly stable hydrogen-bonded assemblies in water. Compound 1, containing one UPy, assembles into vesicles, and compound 2, containing two UPy units, forms micelles. The aggregates disassemble reversibly when the solution pH is raised to 9.0 or above. The results demonstrate the utility of hydrogen bonding to direct the self-assembly of small-molecule building blocks in aqueous media.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Micelles*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Pyrimidinones / chemistry*
  • Solutions
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • 2-ureido-4(3H)-pyrimidinone
  • Micelles
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Solutions
  • Water