A Self-Assembled Foldamer Capsule: Combining Single and Double Helical Segments in One Aromatic Amide Sequence

In this manuscript, we present supramolecular capsules based on a new design relying on both self-assembly and folding of oligomeric strands. We have designed an aromatic amide foldamer in which each monomer encodes three levels of information: a specific cavity size, recognition groups for guest binding, and a propensity to adopt a single or a double helical motif. Thus, a tetradecameric sequence based on four different monomers was encoded so that a wide double helical segment resulting from the hybridization of two strands creates a cavity in which guests, such as 1,10-decanediol, can be bound. Additionally two narrow single helical segments form end-caps and isolate the guest from the solvent. The design, synthesis, solid-state and solution-state characterization of duplex formation and guest binding are presented.