Social self-sorting control in the self-assembly of aromatic oligoamide multiple helices

Self-assembly is one of the most powerful approaches to design large functional molecular systems [1,2]. In biology, large surface area interactions allow self-assembly to occur with high selectivity and in a precise directional manner to yield asymmetric assemblies. Mimicking the types of surface interactions found in biological systems could help improve self-assembly, and foldamers are a potential tool to address this need. Notably, Aromatic Oligoamide Foldamers (AOF), due to their high stability, predictable folding, and ability to form multi-stranded helical assemblies, are particularly well suited for this purpose [3]. Nevertheless, these multi-stranded helical assemblies are usually the result of homo helices assemblies rather than the assembly of different strands. Herein, we describe the development of a strategy to drive the selective formation of hetero double helices (social self-assembly) using supramolecular driving forces such as ionic or π-stacking interactions. The use of these driving forces will provide a new tool to control the formation of AOF hetero double helices and expand their potential use in the broader area of self-assembly.