Supramolecular complex formation

A host-guest molecular recognition process of L-tryptophan, with the above various triangular, bowl-shaped Cp Rh-nucleobase/nucleoside/nucleotide cyclic trimer molecular receptors, was also detected in a gas phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.In this case, the supramolecular complex formation was found to occur predominately via non-covalent tt-tt interactions non-covalent hydrophobic forces apparently being weak or nonexistent. Trp-Met-Asp-Phe tetrapeptide with the trimeric-rhodium host [Cp Rh(2 -deoxyadenosine)]3[OTf]3 also formed a host-guest complex in water that is detected in the gas phase. 

Supramolecular complex formation of polymers bearing CD moieties have been investigated for a broad range of applications, including catalytic systems [89-94], separation or recognition systems [95-105], and controlled release or drug delivery systems [106-110]. 

QDs-based aptamer sensors were further developed by applying aptamer subunits that would self-assemble into supramolecular aptamer subunits-guest complexes in the presence of the analyte. CdSe/ZnS QDs were modifled with a subunit of the anti-cocaine aptamer (23), while the second aptamer subunit was functionalized with an acceptor dye (24). In the presence of a cocaine analyte, supramolecular complex formation occurred between the aptamer subunits and cocaine, which led to the FRET process between the QDs and the dye acceptor (Figure 6.21). 

---