While
many synthetic nanotubes with a hydrophobic lumen and fast
molecular transport have been developed, decorating the interior of
these channels with polar and/or responsive functional groups remains
challenging. In transmembrane proteins like the aquaporin and M2 channels,
the presence of histidine residues in a mostly hydrophobic channel
has led to enhanced selectivity and pH-based activation. Herein, we
report the synthesis of Bzim-CP, a cyclic octapeptide that contains
a benzimidazole functionality as a chemical and structural mimic of
histidine. Bzim-CP undergoes different protonation states, forms subnanometer
nanotubes, and projects two different ionizable functionalities into
the lumen. Present studies open up synthetic possibilities to functionalize
subnanometer porous channels as a basis toward understanding new transport
phenomena.
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