Exploring Molecular Building Blocks: How Urea-Functionalized Acetylenes Self-Assemble

Scientists have been exploring a group of molecules called urea-functionalized acetylenes, which have a constant H-bonding unit and varying hydrophobic units. These molecules are fascinating because they can self-assemble into intricate structures due to non-covalent interactions. The study found that these molecules form beautiful, luminescent structures like needles, fibers, and even flower-like patterns on tiny scales. Changes in the molecules' makeup led to different results: some formed needle-like crystals, others created dendritic nanofibers or microflakes, while one didn't self-assemble at all.One type, Alk-Ph, stood out with its uniform spherulitic pattern and ability to gel organic solvents and water. This gel could emit white light when mixed with a certain dye and even absorb harmful dyes from water. The study highlights the importance of balancing interactions to create the desired structures and provides valuable insights for future molecular design.