Macromolecular semi-rigid nanocavities for cooperative recognition of specific large molecular shapes

Takane Imaoka, Yuki Kawana, Takuto Kurokawa and Kimihisa Yamamoto ()
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Takane Imaoka: Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Yuki Kawana: Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Takuto Kurokawa: Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Kimihisa Yamamoto: Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Molecular shape recognition for larger guest molecules (typically over 1 nm) is a difficult task because it requires cooperativity within a wide three-dimensional nanospace coincidentally probing every molecular aspect (size, outline shape, flexibility and specific groups). Although the intelligent functions of proteins have fascinated many researchers, the reproduction by artificial molecules remains a significant challenge. Here we report the construction of large, well-defined cavities in macromolecular hosts. Through the use of semi-rigid dendritic phenylazomethine backbones, even subtle differences in the shapes of large guest molecules (up to ~2 nm) may be discriminated by the cooperative mechanism. A conformationally fixed complex with the best-fitting guest is supported by a three-dimensional model based on a molecular simulation. Interestingly, the simulated cavity structure also predicts catalytic selectivity by a ruthenium porphyrin centre, demonstrating the high shape persistence and wide applicability of the cavity.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3581

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