Solvent directed self-assembly of naphthalenediimide-tryptophan-glutamate conjugates

Abstract

We have designed and synthesised NDI derivatives bearing l-Trp-l-Glu methyl ester (Trp-GLU) and studied their self-assembly in THF-MCH and THF-H2O solvent mixes. The optical properties of NDI-Trp-GLU in solution have been investigated by means of UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques and redox properties have been examined using cyclic voltammogram. Interestingly, NDI-Trp-GLU self-assembled into microflowers and microfibers with increasing proportion of MCH and H sub(2) O solvent, respectively, which suggests that solvophobic control is important for self-assembly phenomenon.