Chiral self-sorted multifunctional supramolecular biocoordination polymers and their applications in sensors.

Shang, Xiaobo; Song, Inho; Jung, Gwan Yeong; Choi, Wanuk; Ohtsu, Hiroyoshi; Lee, Jeong Hyeon; Koo, Jin Young; Liu, Bo; Ahn, Jaeyong; Kawano, Masaki; Kwak, Sang Kyu; Oh, Joon Hak

Chiral supramolecules have great potential for use in chiral recognition, sensing, and catalysis. Particularly, chiral supramolecular biocoordination polymers (SBCPs) provide a versatile platform for characterizing biorelated processes such as chirality transcription. Here, we selectively synthesize homochiral and heterochiral SBCPs, composed of chiral naphthalene diimide ligands and Zn ions, from enantiomeric and mixed R-ligands and S-ligands, respectively. Notably, we find that the chiral self-sorted SBCPs exhibit multifunctional properties, including photochromic, photoluminescent, photoconductive, and chemiresistive characteristics, thus can be used for various sensors. Specifically, these materials can be used for detecting hazardous amine materials due to the electron transfer from the amine to the SBCP surface and for enantioselectively sensing a chiral species naproxen due to the different binding energies with regard to their chirality. These results provide guidelines for the synthesis of chiral SBCPs and demonstrate their versatility and feasibility for use in various sensors covering photoactive, chemiresistive, and chiral sensors. Chiral supramolecules may be used in chiral recognition, sensing and catalysis. Here the authors selectively synthesized homochiral and heterochiral supramolecular biocoordination polymers of naphthalene diimide ligands with alanine termini and Zn ions.

Nature Communications, 2018, Vol 9, Issue 1, p1

2041-1723

Academic Journal

10.1038/s41467-018-06147-8