Stackable molecular chairs

Abstract

We describe the design, preparation and assembly of chair-shaped molecules, comprising a tris-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane hub that extends into three phthalimides carrying amino acids or short peptides. In water, molecular chairs stack in an antiparallel manner to give hexavalent dendritic structures, in spite of holding equal charges. The here described strategy for increasing the multivalency of peptides is easy to implement in practice, therefore holding potential for creating novel soft materials and therapeutics.