Supramolecular assembly of C3 peptidic molecules into helical polymers.

Self-assembly of C3 discotic molecules bearing dipeptide pendants into helical supramolecular polymers is investigated. The dipeptides are constituted from glycine and alanine with altered sequence, aiming at modulating the steric hindrance and examining the steric effects on the assembly. This steric hindrance effect is further illustrated with a dipeptide formed from glycine and valine, which carries a much larger isopropyl side unit. Their supramolecular polymerization is examined in various organic solvents and at different temperatures. The assembly morphology is directly visualized with atomic force microscopy. It is found that small changes in the dipeptide motifs in combination with solvent structure and the solution concentrations lead to different expression of the supramolecular assembly.