Specific recognition and two-dimensional organization of molecules at the air-water interface

Complementary hydrogen bonding acts efficiently at the air waterinterfacefor specific binding of aqueous guests. Thus, single-component and mixed monolayers of double-chain peptide amphiphiles displays selective incorporation of water-soluble dipeptides via hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interaction into the specific cavities created at the polar peptide region of monolayers. An "induced fit" mechanism is conceivable for the generation of receptor sites in mixed monolayers. The hydrogen-bond ing interaction is also applicable to the preparation of molecularly precise patterns on water. The molecular arrangement in guanidinium and melamine monolayers is controlled through binding with polycarboxylates and barbituric acid, respectively. A multi-functional guest like FAD can induce molecular patterns. Implications of these results are discussed.