ORGN 265 |
| We report the design and characterization of the reversible switching between two different micelle morphologies via the disassembly and re-assembly of redox-active surfactants by electrochemical means. The redox-active surfactant is comprised of an aliphatic chain tethered to a ferrocene group covalently caged in the annular void of beta cyclodextrin (bCD). While beta-cyclodextrin by itself has a water solubility too low for consideration as a hydrophilic head group, our covalent modification renders this molecule amphiphilic, and thus surface active. Using bCD as the hydrophilic head group, this surfactant is bio-friendly in that protein denaturation is minimal or non-existent. Under electrochemical control, the surfactant switches between non-ionic and cationic with gross conformational difference, which results in different micelle formation. Employing a wide range of measurements such as 2-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism and electrochemistry, we characterize this micelle assembly and disassembly, and discuss its potential applications in sequestering membrane proteins and controlled drug release. |
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Molecular Recognition and Materials
1:00 PM-4:40 PM, Monday, 29 August 2005 Washington DC Convention Center -- 201, Oral
Division of Organic Chemistry |