Supramolecular self-organization in constitutional hybrid materials

Abstract

We present in this paper a new strategy to transcribe the supramolecular dynamic self-organization of the G-quadruplex and ureidocrown ether ion channel-type columnar architectures in constitutional hybrids. In particular, the use of a “dynamic reversible hydrophobic interface” can render the emerging hybrid mesophases self-adaptive. The reversible hydrophobic interactions allow both supramolecular and inorganic silica components to mutually (synergistically) adapt their spatial constitution during simultaneous (collective) formation of micrometric self-organized hybrid domains. More generally, applying such consideration to materials, leads to the definition of constitutional hybrid materials, in which organic (supramolecular)/inorganic domains are reversibly connected. This might provide new insights into the features that control the design of functional materials.