A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer.

Morris, David TJ ORCID: 0000-0002-5276-1034, Wales, Steven M ORCID: 0000-0003-0637-4225, Tilly, David P ORCID: 0000-0002-4859-961X, Farrar, Elliot HE ORCID: 0000-0003-3350-2907, Grayson, Matthew N ORCID: 0000-0003-2116-7929, Ward, John W ORCID: 0000-0001-7186-6416 and Clayden, Jonathan (2021) A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer. Chem, 7 (9). pp. 2460-2472.

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Abstract

Communication of information through the global switching of conformation in synthetic molecules has hitherto entailed the inversion of chirality. Here, we report a class of oligomer through which information may be communicated through a global reversal of polarity. Ethylene-bridged oligoureas are constitutionally symmetrical, conformationally flexible molecules organized by a single chain of hydrogen bonds running the full length of the oligomer. NMR reveals that this hydrogen-bonded chain may undergo a coherent reversal of directionality. The directional uniformity of the hydrogen-bond chain allows it to act as a channel for the spatial communication of information on a molecular scale. A binding site at the terminus of an oligomer detects local information about changes in pH or anion concentration and transmits that information-in the form of a directionality switch in the hydrogen-bond chain-to a remote polarity-sensitive fluorophore. This propagation of polarity-encoded information provides a new mechanism for molecular communication.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	NMR, binding, communication, conformation, dynamic foldamer, hydrogen bonding, information theory, oligomer, stimulus responsive, urea
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Physical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2021 15:55
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2024 18:19
DOI:	10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.022
Open Access URL:	https://www.cell.com/chem/fulltext/S2451-9294(21)0...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3144528