Synthesis of rhenium chelated MAG3 functionalized rosette nanotubes

Rosette nanotubes (RNTs) are discrete nanostructures self-assembled from a guanine–cytosine hybrid motif (G∧C) under aqueous conditions. These materials have substantial design flexibility and a range of applications, which are partly attributed to their diverse surface functionalization. Given the potential for interesting properties resulting from a metal-RNT construct, here we describe an oxorhenium-functionalized RNT. More specifically, we present the synthesis of a twin G∧C motif expressing the mercaptoacetyl triglycine (MAG3) ligand. We then examine the chelation reaction of the MAG3 with ReOCl3(PPh3)2 and self-assemble the resulting ReO-MAG3-G∧C conjugate into RNTs under DMSO and aqueous conditions.