Single-molecule analysis of the self-assembly process facilitated by host-guest interactions.

Abstract

The self-assembly process from a 1 : 1 to a 1 : 2 complex, facilitated by para-sulfonatocalix[6]arenes (SC6) as host and methyl viologen (MV(2+)) as guest, was analyzed at the single-molecule level through an α-hemolysin nanopore. Especially, the assembled complex structures were discriminated in real time in the mixture of SC6 and MV(2+).