Supramolecular approaches to the formation of nanostructures based on phosphonate-thiacalix[4]arenes, their selective lysozyme recognition

In this paper, we report two approaches for the synthesis of nanostructured materials using two polyfunctional α-aminophosphonic acid derivatives of the thiacalix[4]arene. There are (1) the metal-organic framework approach using bridging sulfur atoms of cyclophane and (2) interpolyelectrolyte approach using polyfunctional substituents on the lower rim of the macrocyclic platform. It was found that the preferred formation of the metal-organic framework between thiacalix[4]arene and Ag+ is due to the coordination of the Ag+ with sulfur atoms. The second approach based on the synthesis of interpolyelectrolyte nanoparticles produces new nanomaterials for biomedical application. We studied the interaction of two types of interpolyelectrolyte nanoparticles with model proteins (lysozyme, bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin). These polyelectrolyte nanoparticles are capable to selectively binding of the lysozyme while maintaining protein conformation. It can be used to develop supramolecular systems for medical diagnostics and therapeutic purposes.