Science, Vol.277, No.5333, 1793-1796, 1997
Solvophobically Driven Folding of Nonbiological Oligomers
In solution, biopolymers commonly fold into well-defined three-dimensional structures, but only recently has analogous behavior been explored in synthetic chain molecules. An aromatic hydrocarbon backbone is described that spontaneously acquires a stable helical conformation having a large cavity. The chain does not form intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and solvophobic interactions drive the folding transition, which is sensitive to chain length, solvent quality, and temperature.
Keywords:SECONDARY STRUCTURE;PHENYLACETYLENE MACROCYCLES;MOLECULAR MECHANICS;HELIX-COIL;PRINCIPLES;ALANINE;CRYSTAL;DESIGN