Hydrophobicity-driven folding and seeded polymerization of cystine-based dimeric diamides in aqueous media.

Seeded supramolecular polymerization of cystine-based dimeric diamides with aromatic substituents at the C- and N-termini was achieved in aqueous media. Theoretical and spectroscopic studies reveal that the terminal groups play crucial roles in slowing spontaneous assembly through formation of a folded conformation and guiding molecular alignment in the aggregated state.