The lecture will highlight recent progress in the area of reprogrammable single chain nanoparticles using chemical as well as photonic fields. Our ability to fold and unfold complex macromolecular geometries is a critical step in reaching the goal of designing mimics of naturally occuring biocatalysts. Specifically, we show that SCNPs can be compacted and decompacted by multiple hydrogen bonds and host–guest interactions. Well-defined diblock (AB) and tetrablock (ABCD) copolymers are equipped with orthogonal recognition motifs via modular ligation along the lateral chain.&lt;span style="font-size:10.8333px"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;Initially, single-chain folding of the diblock copolymer is induced by the host–guest complexation of benzo-21-crown-7 (host) and a secondary ammonium salt (guest), representing an efficient avenue for single chain collapse. Next, both orthogonal Hamilton wedge (HW) and cyanuric acid (CA) as well as host–guest motifs are employed to generate SCNPs based on an ABCD polymer system. Subsequently, the stepwise dual-gated and order independent unfolding of the SCNPs is investigated by the addition of external stimuli. An even more advanced concept can be established using monochromatic light of a disparate wavelengths, where four colors of light are used to selectively fold and unfold predefined regions of the single chain geometry. Finally, the lecture will highlight how the folding mechanism of SCNPs can be elucidated by high resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry protocols.

Reprogramming the conformation of single chain nanoparticles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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