Self-healing metal coordinated hydrogels using nucleotide ligands

Abstract

A supramolecular gel formed by coordination of Zn2+ with adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is reported. The adenine base, the monophosphate, and Zn2+ are all important for gel formation. Mechanically disrupted gels can re-form upon centrifugation; applications of this gel for guest-molecule entrapment are explored.