Multivalency by self-assembly: postdoctoral work with Jean-Marie Lehn in Chem. Eur. J
Multiplication of functional units by self-assembly is a powerful way to new properties and functions. Self-organisation of components decorated with recognition groups leads to multivalent entities, amenable to strong and selective binding with multivalent targets, such as protein receptors. In this paper we describe an efficient, supramolecular, one-pot valency multiplication process proceeding through self-organisation of monovalent components into well-defined, grid-shaped [2×2] tetranuclear complexes bearing eight sugar residues for multivalent interaction with the tetrameric lectin, concanavalin A.
