Hierarchical self-assembly in an RNA-based coordination polymer hydrogel

El-Zubir, Osama; Rojas Martinez, Pablo; Dura, Gema; Doherty, Cameron; Cucinotta, Fabio; Mackenzie, Lewis E.; Pal, Robert; Horrocks, Benjamin R.; Houlton, Andrew

Abstract

An RNA-based coordination polymer is formed by the aqueous reaction of CuI ions with the thionucleoside enantiomer (−)6-thioguanosine, (6tGH). The resulting polymer, [CuI(μ3-S-thioG)]n1, has a one-dimensional structure based on a [Cu4–S4] core and undergoes extensive hierarchical self-assembly transforming from oligomeric chains → rod → cable → bundle through which a fibrous gel forms, that undergoes syneresis to form a self-supporting mass. The assembly involves the formation of helical cables/bundles and, in combination with the intrinsic photoemission of the polymer, results in the material exhibiting circularly polarised luminescence (CPL).

Citation

El-Zubir, O., Rojas Martinez, P., Dura, G., Doherty, C., Cucinotta, F., Mackenzie, L. E., …Houlton, A. (2023). Hierarchical self-assembly in an RNA-based coordination polymer hydrogel. Dalton Transactions, 52(17), 5545-5551. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3dt00634d

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 29, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 6, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 7, 2023
• Journal: Dalton Transactions
• Print ISSN: 1477-9226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-9234
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 17
• Pages: 5545-5551
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d3dt00634d