title: Regulating Competing Supramolecular Interactions Using Ligand Concentration.
abstract: The complexity of biomolecular systems inevitably leads to a degree of competition between the noncovalent interactions involved. However, the outcome of biological processes is generally very well-defined often due to the competition of these interactions. In contrast, specificity in synthetic supramolecular systems is usually based on the presence of a minimum set of alternative assembly pathways. While the latter might simplify the system, it prevents the selection of specific structures and thereby limits the adaptivity of the system. Therefore, artificial systems containing competing interactions are vital to stimulate the development of more adaptive and lifelike synthetic systems. Here, we present a detailed study on the self-assembly behavior of a C2v-symmetrical tritopic molecule, functionalized with three self-complementary ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) motifs. Due to a shorter linker connecting one of these UPys, two types of cycles with different stabilities can be formed, which subsequently dimerize intermolecularly via the third UPy. The UPy complementary 2,7-diamido-1,8-naphthyridine (NaPy) motif was gradually added to this mixture in order to examine its effect on the cycle distribution. As a result of the C2v-symmetry of the tritopic UPy, together with small differences in binding strength, the cycle ratio can be regulated by altering the concentration of NaPy. We show that this ratio can be increased to an extent where one type of cycle is formed almost exclusively.
authors.forename: Abraham J P
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Teunissen
authors.forename: Tim F E
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Paffen
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ercolani
authors.forename: Tom F A
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: de Greef
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Meijer