Unfolding a molecular trefoil derived from a zwitterionic metallopeptide to form self-assembled nanostructures.

Molecular self-assembly can be influenced by a number of external factors, though solvent effects are less commonly explored. Here, the authors present a three-armed metallopeptide complex that has a folded monomeric conformation in organic solvent, but can self-assemble in water into a supramolecular gel.