Supramolecular assembly of phenanthrene-DNA conjugates into light-harvesting nanospheres.

The self-assembly of highly functionalized phenanthrene-DNA conjugates into supramolecular nanostructures is presented. DNA oligomers modified with phenanthrene residues at the 3'-end and internal positions self-assemble into spherical nanostructures. The nanospheres exhibit light-harvesting properties. Upon irradiation of phenanthrene, the excitation energy is transferred along phenanthrene units, resulting in phenanthrene-pyrene exciplex formation.