@article{MuellerBessiRichteretal.2021,
  author    = {M{\"u}ller, Diana and Bessi, Irene and Richter, Christian and Schwalbe, Harald},
  title     = {The Folding Landscapes of Human Telomeric RNA and DNA G-Quadruplexes are Markedly Different},
  series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  volume    = {60},
  journal   = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition},
  number    = {19},
  doi       = {10.1002/anie.202100280},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-238917},
  pages     = {10895 -- 10901},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {We investigated the folding kinetics of G-quadruplex (G4) structures by comparing the K\(^{+}\)-induced folding of an RNA G4 derived from the human telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA25) with a sequence homologous DNA G4 (wtTel25) using CD spectroscopy and real-time NMR spectroscopy. While DNA G4 folding is biphasic, reveals kinetic partitioning and involves kinetically favoured off-pathway intermediates, RNA G4 folding is faster and monophasic. The differences in kinetics are correlated to the differences in the folded conformations of RNA vs. DNA G4s, in particular with regard to the conformation around the glycosidic torsion angle χ that uniformly adopts anti conformations for RNA G4s and both, syn and anti conformation for DNA G4s. Modified DNA G4s with \(^{19}\)F bound to C2′ in arabino configuration adopt exclusively anti conformations for χ. These fluoro-modified DNA (antiTel25) reveal faster folding kinetics and monomorphic conformations similar to RNA G4s, suggesting the correlation between folding kinetics and pathways with differences in χ angle preferences in DNA and RNA, respectively.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WehnerRoehrStepanenkoetal.2020,
  author    = {Wehner, Marius and R{\"o}hr, Merle Insa Silja and Stepanenko, Vladimir and W{\"u}rthner, Frank},
  title     = {Control of self-assembly pathways toward conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymers},
  series = {Nature Communications},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Nature Communications},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41467-020-19189-8},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230580},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Homo- and heterochiral aggregation during crystallization of organic molecules has significance both for fundamental questions related to the origin of life as well as for the separation of homochiral compounds from their racemates in industrial processes. Herein, we analyse these phenomena at the lowest level of hierarchy - that is the self-assembly of a racemic mixture of (R,R)- and (S,S)-PBI into 1D supramolecular polymers. By a combination of UV/vis and NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy, we demonstrate that homochiral aggregation of the racemic mixture leads to the formation of two types of supramolecular conglomerates under kinetic control, while under thermodynamic control heterochiral aggregation is preferred, affording a racemic supramolecular polymer. FT-IR spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations reveal unique packing arrangements and hydrogen-bonding patterns within these supramolecular polymers. Time-, concentration- and temperature-dependent UV/vis experiments provide further insights into the kinetic and thermodynamic control of the conglomerate and racemic supramolecular polymer formation. Homo- and heterochiral aggregation is a process of interest to prebiotic and chiral separation chemistry. Here, the authors analyze the self-assembly of a racemic mixture into 1D supramolecular polymers and find homochiral aggregation into conglomerates under kinetic control, while under thermodynamic control a racemic polymer is formed.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{QuastGescheidtSpichty2020,
  author    = {Quast, Helmut and Gescheidt, Georg and Spichty, Martin},
  title     = {Topological dynamics of a radical ion pair: Experimental and computational assessment at the relevant nanosecond timescale},
  series = {Chemistry},
  volume    = {2},
  journal   = {Chemistry},
  number    = {2},
  issn      = {2624-8549},
  doi       = {10.3390/chemistry2020014},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285195},
  pages     = {219 -- 230},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Chemical processes mostly happen in fluid environments where reaction partners encounter via diffusion. The bimolecular encounters take place at a nanosecond time scale. The chemical environment (e.g., solvent molecules, (counter)ions) has a decisive influence on the reactivity as it determines the contact time between two molecules and affects the energetics. For understanding reactivity at an atomic level and at the appropriate dynamic time scale, it is crucial to combine matching experimental and theoretical data. Here, we have utilized all-atom molecular-dynamics simulations for accessing the key time scale (nanoseconds) using a QM/MM-Hamiltonian. Ion pairs consisting of a radical ion and its counterion are ideal systems to assess the theoretical predictions because they reflect dynamics at an appropriate time scale when studied by temperature-dependent EPR spectroscopy. We have investigated a diketone radical anion with its tetra-ethylammonium counterion. We have established a funnel-like transition path connecting two (equivalent) complexation sites. The agreement between the molecular-dynamics simulation and the experimental data presents a new paradigm for ion-ion interactions. This study exemplarily demonstrates the impact of the molecular environment on the topological states of reaction intermediates and how these states can be consistently elucidated through the combination of theory and experiment. We anticipate that our findings will contribute to the prediction of bimolecular transformations in the condensed phase with relevance to chemical synthesis, polymers, and biological activity.},
  language  = {en}
}