Abstract
Self-assembly of twelve pentatopic tectons, which have complementary edges or can be linked using either digonal or trigonal connectors, represents the optimal synthetic strategy to achieve spherical objects, such as chemical capsids. This process requires conditions that secure uninterrupted equilibria of binding and self-correction en route to the global energy minimum. Here we report the synthesis of a highly soluble, deca-heterosubstituted corannulene that bears five terpyridine ligands. Spontaneous self-assembly of twelve such tectons with 30 cadmium(II) cations produces a giant icosahedral capsid as a thermodynamically stable single product in high yield. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods, mass spectrometry analyses, small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy indicate that this spherical capsid has an external diameter of nearly 6 nm and shell thickness of 1 nm, in agreement with molecular modeling. NMR and liquid chromatography evidences imply that chiral self-sorting complexation generates a racemic mixture of homochiral capsids.
Highlights
Self-assembly of twelve pentatopic tectons, which have complementary edges or can be linked using either digonal or trigonal connectors, represents the optimal synthetic strategy to achieve spherical objects, such as chemical capsids
We have previously proposed a general synthetic strategy for producing chemical capsids by self-assembly of 12 pentagonal tectons that have complementary edges or can be stitched together using either digonal or trigonal connectors (Fig. 1)[2]
We focused our efforts on achieving pentatopic tectons with much higher solubility
Summary
Self-assembly of twelve pentatopic tectons, which have complementary edges or can be linked using either digonal or trigonal connectors, represents the optimal synthetic strategy to achieve spherical objects, such as chemical capsids. Chemical mimicry of viral capsids is highly desirable because stable structures of icosahedral symmetry can be applied in many ways, including microencapsulation and transport of sensitive cargo, drug delivery and targeting, synthesis of nanoparticles of uniform size, reactivity modulation of bound guests, molecular recognition, catalysis, formation of structural elements for supramolecular architecture, and even safe immunization by epitope presentation on the surface of non-viral spherical objects. We have previously proposed a general synthetic strategy for producing chemical capsids by self-assembly of 12 pentagonal tectons that have complementary edges or can be stitched together using either digonal or trigonal connectors (Fig. 1)[2].
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