ABSTRACTStructural characterization of phenylacetylene dendrimers (PADs) makes it possible to explore the relationship between molecular architecture and condensed phase organization. The size and geometry of the PAD series is precisely controlled, with phenylacetylene units emanating from a central phenylene in the manner of a tridendron. The branched molecule rapidly increases in size with each synthetic generation. The “shape-persistent” nature of the phenylacetylene molecule makes it ideal for use in the construction of self-assembling supramolecular systems.Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to identify the crystal structure of lower generation PADs, and wide-angle X-ray studies confirm the decrease in crystallinity with size. Hot stage optical microscopy studies of thermal transitions reveal melting points for lower generation PADs, and an apparent glass transition for the amorphous higher generations. This type of structural information is essential to the rational design of self-assembling materials.
Structural Characterization of an LPA1 Second Extracellular Loop Mimetic with a Self-Assembling Coiled-Coil Folding Constraint
