On-resin dimerization incorporates a diverse array of pi-conjugated functionality within aqueous self-assembling peptide backbones.

We report a convenient method to incorporate pi-electron units into peptides that assemble into amyloid-like supramolecular polymers, discussing the scope of the process and preliminary characterization of the resulting nanomaterials. Self-assembly manipulates these "electronic peptides" into delocalized sub-10 nm 1-D nanostructures under completely aqueous conditions.