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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Self-Assembly through Coordination and π-Stacking: Controlled Switching of Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Dian Niu1,2, Yuqian Jiang3, Lukang Ji1,2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, North First Street 2, ZhongGuanCun, Beijing, 100190, China.
Abstract:
Multiple noncovalent interactions can drive self-assembly through different pathways. Here, by coordination-assisted changes in π-stacking modes between chromophores in pyrene-conjugated histidine (PyHis), a self-assembly system with reversible and inversed switching of supramolecular chirality, as well as circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) is described. It was found that l-PyHis self-assembled into nanofibers showing P-chirality and right-handed CPL. Upon ZnII coordination, the nanofibers changed into nanospheres with M-chirality, as well as left-handed CPL. The process is reversible and the M-chirality can change to P-chirality by removing the ZnII ions. Experimental and theoretical models unequivocally revealed that the cooperation of metal coordination and π-stacking modes are responsible the reversible switching of supramolecular chirality. This work not only provides insight into how multiple noncovalent interactions regulate self-assembly pathways.
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