# Self-Assembly of Unconventional Triphenylene-Based Frustrated Amphiphile in Solution

## TL;DR

This paper studies how a special type of amphiphilic molecule self-assembles in solution, forming complex structures influenced by salt and π-stacking.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel triphenylene-based amphiphile with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups that self-assembles in a frustrated manner.

## Key findings

- The amphiphiles form stacked assemblies with up–down conformations due to π-stacking.
- Adding NaCl enhances π-stacking and leads to larger elongated aggregates.
- Multiple experimental and simulation techniques confirm the self-assembly behavior.

## Abstract

Unconventional amphiphilic molecules having a rigid hydrophobic
central unit and flexible or semiflexible hydrophilic chains on the
rim have proven valuable in several technological applications, for
example, host–guest chemistry. The further presence of alternating
hydrophobic and hydrophilic tails complicates the definition of clear
core and shell regions, resulting in complex segregation and frustrated
self-assembly. In this study, we investigate symmetric triphenylene-based
amphiphilic derivatives with alternating benzyl and alkylsulfonate
groups. We characterize their self-assembly in water and different
solutions using several experimental techniques, including NMR, atomic
force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle X-ray
and neutron scattering, alongside extensive molecular dynamics simulations,
including both atomistic and coarse-grained integrative modeling with
metainference. In aqueous solutions, these amphiphiles form stacked
assemblies, adopting alternate up–down conformations driven
by π-stacking of up to six molecules. The introduction of NaCl
salt screens unfavorable electrostatic interactions, thus promoting
further π-stacking and leading to the formation of larger elongated
aggregates.