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Self-assembly of the smallest and tightest molecular trefoil knot

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiwen Li

    (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingjing Zhang

    (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gao Li

    (Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Richard J. Puddephatt

    (University of Western Ontario)

Abstract

Molecular knots, whose synthesis presents many challenges, can play important roles in protein structure and function as well as in useful molecular materials, whose properties depend on the size of the knotted structure. Here we report the synthesis by self-assembly of molecular trefoil metallaknot with formula [Au6{1,2-C6H4(OCH2CC)2}3{Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2}3], Au6, from three units of each of the components 1,2-C6H4(OCH2CCAu)2 and Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2. Structure determination by X-ray diffraction revealed that the chiral trefoil knot contains only 54 atoms in the backbone, so that Au6 is the smallest and tightest molecular trefoil knot known to date.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiwen Li & Jingjing Zhang & Gao Li & Richard J. Puddephatt, 2024. "Self-assembly of the smallest and tightest molecular trefoil knot," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-44302-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44302-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David A. Leigh & Fredrik Schaufelberger & Lucian Pirvu & Joakim Halldin Stenlid & David P. August & Julien Segard, 2020. "Tying different knots in a molecular strand," Nature, Nature, vol. 584(7822), pages 562-568, August.
    2. William R. Taylor, 2000. "A deeply knotted protein structure and how it might fold," Nature, Nature, vol. 406(6798), pages 916-919, August.
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