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Published on: April 21, 2017
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Chiral Transmission to Cationic Polycobaltocenes over Multiple Length Scales Using Anionic Surfactants
Rebecca A Musgrave, Paul Choi, Robert L Harniman
1School of Physical Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|May 31, 2018
Summary
Chiral metallopolymers were formed using poly(cobaltoceniumethylene) and chiral surfactants. These polymers self-assemble into superhelical ribbons, demonstrating chirality transfer from molecular to micrometer scales.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Chiral polymers are essential in nature and materials science.
- Self-assembly of chiral materials is a key research area.
- Metallopolymers offer unique electronic and structural properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize chiral metallopolymers based on poly(cobaltoceniumethylene).
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of these metallopolymers.
- To demonstrate chirality transfer from molecular surfactants to macromolecular assemblies.
Main Methods:
- Oxidation of poly(cobaltocenylethylene) in the presence of enantiopure N-acyl-amino-acid-derived anionic surfactants.
- Formation of metallopolymer complexes with close ionic contacts.
- Solubilization in polar organic solvents and subsequent dialysis into water.
Main Results:
- Chiral metallopolymer complexes [PCE][C16-l/d-Ala]n were successfully prepared.
- Axially chiral ethylenic bridges and surfactant tails mediated chirality transmission.
- Self-assembly into superhelical ribbons with defined handedness was observed in water.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates effective chirality transfer from chiral surfactants to metallopolymers.
- The resulting brushlike amphiphilic structure facilitates self-assembly into chiral supramolecular architectures.
- This work provides a pathway for creating chiral materials with tunable properties and hierarchical structures.
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