Expanded triazolophanes: a topological analysis of vesicular assembly.

Triazolophanes with larger ring sizes such as 40- and 42- were designed and synthesized. Ultramicroscopic studies on a variety of expanded triazolophanes and larger acyclic systems revealed vesicular self-assembly. The role of molecular topology on vesicular assembly was systematically investigated by studying a series of molecules with increasing curvature.

Self-assembling triazolophanes: from croissants through donuts to spherical vesicles.

Macrocyclic compounds M1-M3 with different ring sizes containing amide and triazole units were synthesized. These triazolophanes displayed a variety of self-assembled structures such as hemi-toroids, toroids, and vesicles in a concentration dependent manner. Detailed ultramicroscopic and crystallographic investigations delineated a hierarchical mechanism of self-assembly.

Hierarchical organization from self-assembling disulfide macrocycles.

We report cystine-based macrocyclic compounds showing very unique self-assembling behavior. 24-membered disulfide macrocycle 3 shows a helical and tubular organization and also forms an insoluble plaque that is birefringent with congo red dye. 48-membered macrocycle 4 shows a vesicle-like assembly with capability for encapsulation, as demonstrated by rhodamine B encapsulation.