Hydrogen-bonded benzylidenebenzohydrazide macrocycles and oligomers: testing the robust capacity of an amide chain in promoting the formation of vesicles

This Letter describes 2-(2-(dioctylamino)-2-oxoethyl-amino)-2-oxoethoxyl (DOAOE)-tuned self-assembly of vesicles from rigid macrocycles and foldamer-like oligomers. The molecules are prepared through the formation of reversible hydrazone bonds from aldehyde and benzo-hydrazide precursors, which are further facilitated by intramolecular N⋯H–O hydrogen bonding. SEM, AFM, and fluorescent encapsulation studies reveal that the molecules all self-assemble into vesicular structures in methanol, while similar molecules bearing the triethylene glycol or n-decyl chains do not. The results illustrate that DOAOE is robust in promoting the formation of vesicles for aromatic systems in polar solvents.