The covalent casting of one-dimensional hydrogen bonding motifs: toward oligomers and polymers of predefined topography

Chemistry. 2001 May 18;7(10):2059-65. doi: 10.1002/1521-3765(20010518)7:10<2059::aid-chem2059>3.0.co;2-i.

Abstract

The covalent casting of noncovalent architectures serves to define large covalent constructs that express well-defined modes of aggregation. In the case of one-dimensional hydrogen-bonding motifs, covalent casting yields molecular strands that adopt a duplex mode of aggregation. The effectiveness of this design principle is illustrated through the casting of the aminotriazine hydrogen-bonding motif. These studies have led to the conception of a new family of topographically defined oligomers, which, akin to DNA, self-assemble in the form of a duplex through the action of interstrand hydrogen bonds.