Abstract:

Nature is creating extraordinarily complex systems from rather simple building blocks by self assembly. Supramolecular chemistry is inspired by these thermodynamically controlled self assembly processes using them as a tool to create nanoscale architectures. Various examples of self assembled dendrimers are published that are based on different non covalent interactions. However, most examples in literature are restricted to unpolar solvents. In case of biological applications systems are of interest that form stable aggregates in water in the range of pH 5-8. In the present work a pH triggered highly stable self assembly of homodimeric supramolecular dendrimers in pure water is reported. The system is based on guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole carboxylate zwitterions as efficient self complementary binding site and biocompatible 1st to 3rd generation polyglycerol dendrons.