Vernier templating and synthesis of a 12-porphyrin nano-ring

DOI: 10.1038/nature09683

Authors: Melanie O'sullivan (Oxford University) , Johannes Sprafke (Oxford University) , Dmitry Kondratiuk (Oxford University) , Corentin Rinfray (Oxford University) , Timothy Claridge (Oxford University) , Alex Saywell (University of Nottingham) , Matthew Blunt (University of Nottingham) , James O'shea (University of Nottingham) , Peter Beton (University of Nottingham) , Marc Malfois (Diamond Light Source) , Harry Anderson (Department of Chemistry, Oxford University)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Nature , VOL 469 , PAGES 72-75

State: Published (Approved)
Published: January 2011

Abstract: Templates are widely used to arrange molecular components so they can be covalently linked into complex molecules that are not readily accessible by classical synthetic methods1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Nature uses sophisticated templates such as the ribosome, whereas chemists use simple ions or small molecules. But as we tackle the synthesis of larger targets, we require larger templates—which themselves become synthetically challenging. Here we show that Vernier complexes can solve this problem: if the number of binding sites on the template, nT, is not a multiple of the number of binding sites on the molecular building blocks, nB, then small templates can direct the assembly of relatively large Vernier complexes where the number of binding sites in the product, nP, is the lowest common multiple of nB and nT (refs 8, 9). We illustrate the value of this concept for the covalent synthesis of challenging targets by using a simple six-site template to direct the synthesis of a 12-porphyrin nano-ring with a diameter of 4.7 nm, thus establishing Vernier templating as a powerful new strategy for the synthesis of large monodisperse macromolecules.

Subject Areas: Biology and Bio-materials


Instruments: I22-Small angle scattering & Diffraction

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