RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

50 Research themes The research in the Macro-Organic Chemistry group covers three major directions, although many techniques and approaches are shared by these major lines of research. In the first line, we focus on assembled structures in water to arrive at novel properties that are useful in the life sciences. The second line of research is dedicated to fundamental insights into the formation of complex structures based on multiple components in organic solvents with supramolecular polymers as a driver for progress. Finally, in the third line of research, supramolecular materials are studied in bulk for applications in energy and information: 1. Water-soluble supramolecular polymers and single-chain polymer nanoparticles. Water-soluble supramolecular polymers based on the benzene-triamide (BTA) unit are studied with the aimof providing novel conceptual approaches to creating new biomaterials. At the same time, they also serve as excellent model systems to study the dynamic behavior of one-dimensional, well-ordered multicomponent aggregates in water. A variety of modified BTA molecules have been made in which the BTA core drives directional self- assembly, whereas water-soluble functional groups at the periphery provide the specific functionality that we aim to introduce. Peptides, proteins, dyes, charge, DNA sequences, catalytic groups, and intercalating and supramolecular units are illustrative ‘functionality’ options that have been introduced and demonstrate the wealth of synthetic opportunities that this ‘design chemistry’ approach offers. A range of cutting-edge analytical techniques allows us to study the dynamic behavior and macromolecular structure of these functional one-dimensional aggregates as well as the functionality of such systems. Mimicking the extracellular matrix for stem cell growth is one of the applications of this subprogram that we are particularly interested in. Single-chain polymer nanoparticles have been studied with the aim of controlling the global conformation of polymer chains using non-covalent interactions. By using directional hydrogen bonding, amphiphilic polymers fold into well- defined compartmentalized structures and functional nanoparticles in water are thereby created. This research theme is now one of the foci of the research of A.R.A. Palmans and her independent group. 2. Supramolecular polymers and mastering complexity and multistep non-covalent synthesis. Our group has a leading position in the field of supramolecular polymers. Many novel mechanistic aspects have been unraveled by our group and, as a result, novel properties and applications are beginning to emerge. Besides kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of the formation of supramolecular polymers, we are highly interested in stereochemical aspects of these dynamic polymers. In particular, we are interested in how the amplification of optical effects can be guided by the selection of solvents, the role of which has been identified as critically important. The proposed paradigm shift in the synthesis of functional multi-component systems is the most challenging research topic in our group. We are not only investigating fundamental issues with respect to self-assembly – which mechanisms govern self-assembly, when is pathway complexity active and how to select a specific path – but are also studying new aggregation processes to control the non-covalent synthesis of molecular systems. Supramolecular protecting/protective groups and competition between supramolecular units are just two of the many challenges that we are currently facing on our way to understanding and mastering the complexity of these processes in order to take non- covalent synthesis to the next level. 3. Novel self-assembled polymer materials. With the knowledgewehaveobtained todate,we are capableof synthesizing supramolecular materials with a high level of control. This enables properties that make these materials