Fig. 6: Extension of templating to trimerization and covalent bond formation.

a, A schematic of a trimerization process A_x + B_y + C_z → ABC_xyz templated by two dimerization catalysts \({T}_{A{B}_{xy}}\) and \({T}_{B{C}_{yz}}\). Each stage is analogous to the catalytic dimerization cycles of Fig. 1. For simplicity, in this diagram, we have assumed template 1 first joins A_x and B_y before template 2 joins C_z to A_xB_y. b, A non-denaturing PAGE analysis of reaction products after mixing either A₁, B₁ and C₁; A₂, B₂ and C₂; or both, with various combinations of templates. The formation of intended products is minimal in the absence of the relevant templates but visible when the templates are present. The bands, including intermediates and unintended products, can be identified by comparing the fluorescence in three channels and migration speed to controls (Supplementary Results 5 and Supplementary Figs. 33–35). c, A schematic illustrating the coupling of HMSD-based dimerization to the formation of a covalently linked dimer. The moieties for a click reaction (Cu-catalysed alkyne azide cycloaddition) are conjugated to monomers M₁ and N₁. d, Denaturing PAGE, which disrupts the duplex formed by HMSD, is used to detect which systems have formed covalent bonds. The monomers are converted to dimers after hybridization of M₁ an N₁ (‘M-alkyl + N-aza’) but not if binding is inhibited by the presence of lock strands (‘blocked M-alkyl + N-aza’). The action of a template T₁₁ (at a ratio of 1:10 with M₁L) during 24 h restores dimerization. Top: the labels indicate the initial concentrations of M₁L and N₁.