Self-association of water-soluble peptoids comprising (S)-N-1-(naphthylethyl)glycine residues.

Peptoids (N-substituted glycine oligomers) are widely used peptidomimetics, and an enhanced understanding of their structures is needed to expand their utility, particularly in aqueous applications. We report the synthesis and structural study of four water-soluble peptoids that include strongly helix-promoting (S)-N-1-(naphthylethyl)glycine residues. Peptoid structure changes with both peptoid length and solvent composition. Multiple data support the self-association of the longest peptoid studied here, 1, via hydrophobic interactions in aqueous solutions.