Supramolecular synthesis of discrete stacked G-quartets

We are investigating the use of guanine derivs. to direct the assembly of p-conjugated oligomers, such as oligo(p-phenylenevinylenes) (OPVs), both in org. solvents and water. Guanosine (G) derivs. generally self-assemble into linear ribbons but, in the presence of certain cations, a circular G-quartet becomes the predominant supramol. structure. Depending on the G deriv., the cation and the counteranion, the G-quartets can further stack to yield well-defined supramol. structures or polymeric aggregates. The amazing stability of these supramol. structures renders the G base as a great scaffold for the construction of well-defined arrays of chromophores. [on SciFinder (R)]