Use of unnatural β-peptides as a self-assembling component in functional organic fibres

Abstract

A homochiral synthetic dipeptide incorporating two cyclobutyl rings has been used as an assembling unit for the π-electron-rich tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moiety. The molecule was prepared and characterised to show all the features of the two components, whereby chirality and π-function are incorporated in the same species. Supramolecular fibres are formed by the compound, as proven by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy. The dimensions of the nanostructures suggest that the molecules pack into dimeric tapes with the peptide head groups at the centre. Current-sensing AFM shows that once doped, films of the material are capable of conducting electricity.