Solvophobically driven folding of nonbiological oligomers.
In solution, biopolymers commonly fold into well-defined three-dimensional structures, but only recently has analogous behavior been explored in synthetic chain molecules. An aromatic hydrocarbon backbone is described that spontaneously acquires a stable helical conformation having a large cavity. The chain does not form intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and solvophobic interactions drive the folding transition, which is sensitive to chain length, solvent quality, and temperature.
Nelson
J C
JC
Department of Chemistry, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Saven
J G
JG
Moore
J S
JS
Wolynes
P G
PG
D000097:Acetonitriles; D000114:Acetylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D002725:Chloroform; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics
D000097:Acetonitriles; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; C044736:phenylacetylene; D002725:Chloroform; D000114:Acetylene; C032159:acetonitrile