A case of cyclodextrin-catalyzed self-assembly of an amphiphile into microspheres

12Citations
Citations of this article
12Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

One of the recent challenges in nanotechnology is the development of 'catalyzed self-assembly'. So far successful cases are still scarce. In this work we report the delicate case of a cyclodextrin (CD) catalyzed self-assembly of the terthiophene-containing amphiphile TTC4L into microspheres. TT4CL can form precipitates when CDs are not present, whereas it self-assembles into microspheres in the presence of CDs. The CDs were not involved into the microspheres, but they stayed in the supernate in the form of the TTC4L@CD inclusion complex. This complex may further transform into microspheres in the presence of a competitive guest. ITC and 1H NMR measurements suggest that part of the terthiophene group binds weakly with CDs. We expect that this weak binding interferes with the quick stacking of TTC4L, so that a 'slow' arrangement of the terthiophene moiety becomes possible which finally leads to the formation of microspheres. Our results not only provide a new solid example of a catalyzed molecular self-assembly, but also envisage a new paradigm for the possible role of CDs in supramolecular chemistry. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

References Powered by Scopus

Fabrication of novel biomaterials through molecular self-assembly

3060Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Interfaces and the driving force of hydrophobic assembly

2996Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Complexation thermodynamics of cyclodextrins

2977Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Kinetic trapping-a strategy for directing the self-assembly of unique functional nanostructures

108Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Facile preparation of porous polymeric composite monoliths with superior performances in oil-water separation-a low-molecular mass gelators-based gel emulsion approach

48Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Fabrication of Propeller-Shaped Supra-amphiphile for Construction of Enzyme-Responsive Fluorescent Vesicles

46Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Zhao, L., Jiang, L., Han, Y., Xian, Z., Huang, J., & Yan, Y. (2013). A case of cyclodextrin-catalyzed self-assembly of an amphiphile into microspheres. Soft Matter, 9(32), 7710–7717. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3sm51235e

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

Researcher 5

50%

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 3

30%

Professor / Associate Prof. 1

10%

Lecturer / Post doc 1

10%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Chemistry 9

82%

Chemical Engineering 1

9%

Environmental Science 1

9%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free