Discrete and polymeric self-assembled dendrimers: Hydrogen bond-mediated assembly with high stability and high fidelity

Hydrogen bond-mediated self-assembly is a powerful strategy for creating nanoscale structures. However, little is known about the fidelity of assembly processes that must occur when similar and potentially competing hydrogen-bonding motifs are present. Furthermore, there is a continuing need for new modules and strategies that can amplify the relatively weak strength of a hydrogen bond to give more stable assemblies. Herein we report quantitative complexation studies on a ureidodeazapterin-based module revealing an unprecedented stability for dimers of its self-complementary acceptor-acceptor-donor-donor (AADD) array. Linking two such units together with a semirigid spacer that carries a first-, second-, or third-generation Frėchet-type dendron affords a ditopic structure programmed to self assemble. The specific structure that is formed depends both on the size of the dendron and the solvent, but all of the assemblies have exceptionally high stability. The largest discrete nanoscale assembly is a hexamer with a molecular mass of about 17.8 kDa. It is stabilized by 30 hydrogen bonds, including six AADD-DDAA contacts. The hexamer forms and is indefinitely stable in the presence of a hexamer containing six ADD-DAA hydrogen-bonding arrays.