A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer

David T. J. Morris; Steven M. Wales; David P. Tilly; Elliot H. E. Farrar; Matthew N. Grayson; John W. Ward; Jonathan Clayden

doi:10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.022

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A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer

David T. J. Morris, Steven M. Wales, David P. Tilly, Elliot H. E. Farrar, Matthew N. Grayson, John W. Ward and Jonathan Clayden

Chem, Vol.7(9), pp.2460-2472

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.022

PMID: 34553103

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Abstract

dynamic foldamer

urea

conformation

hydrogen bonding

NMR

communication

information theory

oligomer

binding

stimulus responsive

Communication of information through the global switching of conformation in synthetic molecules has hitherto entailed the inversion of chirality. Here, we report a class of oligomer through which information may be communicated through a global reversal of polarity. Ethylene-bridged oligoureas are constitutionally symmetrical, conformationally flexible molecules organized by a single chain of hydrogen bonds running the full length of the oligomer. NMR reveals that this hydrogen-bonded chain may undergo a coherent reversal of directionality. The directional uniformity of the hydrogen-bond chain allows it to act as a channel for the spatial communication of information on a molecular scale. A binding site at the terminus of an oligomer detects local information about changes in pH or anion concentration and transmits that information-in the form of a directionality switch in the hydrogen-bond chain-to a remote polarity-sensitive fluorophore. This propagation of polarity-encoded information provides a new mechanism for molecular communication.

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Title: A molecular communication channel consisting of a single reversible chain of hydrogen bonds in a conformationally flexible oligomer
Authors: David T. J. Morris (Author) - University of Bristol
Steven M. Wales (Author) - University of Bristol
David P. Tilly (Author) - University of Bristol
Elliot H. E. Farrar (Author) - University of Bath
Matthew N. Grayson (Author) - University of Bath
John W. Ward (Author) - University of Bristol
Jonathan Clayden (Corresponding Author) - University of Bristol
Publication details: Chem, Vol.7(9), pp.2460-2472
Publisher: Cell Press
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2021.06.022
ISSN: 2451-9294; 2451-9308
PMID: 34553103
Copyright note: (c) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Student Services and Engagement
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99707363802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

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