Supramolecular self-assembly is not only one of the chemical roots of biological structure but is also drawing attention in different industrial fields. Here we study the mechanism of the formation of a complex flower-shaped supramolecular structure of pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidine nucleosides by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray analysis. Upon removing the hydroxyl group of sugars, different flower-shaped superstructures can be produced. These works demonstrate that complex self-assembly can indeed be attained through hierarchical non-covalent interactions of single molecules. Furthermore, chimerical structures built from molecular recognition by these monomers indicate their potential in other fields if combined with other chemical entities.

Nat Commun. 2014;5:3108.

Complex self-assembly of pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidine nucleoside supramolecular structures.

Zhao H, Guo X, He S, Zeng X, Zhou X, Zhang C, Hu J, Wu X, Xing Z, Chu L, He Y, Chen Q.