Molecular ribbons from molecular recognition directed self-assembly of self-complementary molecular components

The programmed self-association of the self-complementary nucleotide-like pyrimidinone 5 and pyrimidinedione 6, generates, as predicted, organized supramolecular ribbons. The crystal structure of such a species has been determined. A similar entity is obtained from the pyrimidinetriamine 12 with solvent participation, giving a quadruply hydrogen-bonded ribbon, whose crystal structure has also been determined. These processes give access to the designed generation of organized arrays of functional substituents.