Anion-induced reconstitution of a self-assembling system to express a chloride-binding Co10L15 penta

Abstract

Biochemical systems are adaptable, capable of reconstitution at all levels to achieve the functions associated with life. Synthetic chemical systems are more limited in their ability to reorganize to achieve new functions; they can reconfigure to bind an added substrate (template effect) or one binding event may modulate a receptor's affinity for a second substrate (allosteric effect). Here we describe a synthetic chemical system that is capable of structural reconstitution on receipt of one anionic signal (perchlorate) to create a tight binding pocket for another anion (chloride). The complex, barrel-like structure of the chloride receptor is templated by five perchlorate anions. This second-order templation phenomenon allows chemical networks to be envisaged that express more complex responses to chemical signals than is currently feasible. A coordination cage has been prepared that self-assembles through second-order templation. Peripheral perchlorate or hexafluorophosphate template anions direct the formation of a hollow prism whose central pocket was able to bind a small anionic guest such as halide or azide, in a manner reminiscent to signal transduction in biological systems.

Cite this article

Riddell, I., Smulders, M., Clegg, J. et al. Anion-induced reconstitution of a self-assembling system to express a chloride-binding Co₁₀L₁₅ pentagonal prism. Nature Chem 4, 751–756 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1407

View full text

>> Full Text:   Anion-induced reconstitution of a self-assembling system to express a chloride-binding Co10L15 penta