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Updated: May 22, 2025

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Solvent Effect on the Chiral Arrangement for Two Achiral Metal-Organic Colloids in the Vortex Field: Rheological
Biao Guo1,2, Wen-Hui Zheng1,3, Jian-Cai Huang1
1College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350116, P.R. China.
Abstract:
The vortex features a helical structure and exhibits macroscopic chirality. Over the past few decades, scientists have observed that several achiral compounds display chiroptical activity within the vortex field. The researchers believe that chiral arrangement may have occurred in this process. Herein, we investigate two achiral metal-organic colloids (Zn3L/DMSO and Zn3L/DMF) which have similar chemical components but exhibit distinct vortex-responsive chiroptical properties. In the vortex field, the Zn3L/DMSO colloid presents chiroptical activity, whereas the Zn3L/DMF colloid remains chiroptically silent. Rheological studies reveal the possible underlying reasons. The strong solvent-colloidal particles interactions in the Zn3L/DMSO colloid endow the system with excellent viscoelasticity and reversible thixotropy. These characteristics enable the Zn3L/DMSO colloid to form a reversible chiral arrangement within the vortex. In contrast, the Zn3L/DMF colloid fails to respond to the vortex. Furthermore, the addition of the charged molecule D enhanced the rheological properties of the Zn3L/DMSO colloid, with the potential to preserve its chiroptical activity. Overall, this research is expected to provide new insights into the vortex-induced chirality of supramolecular colloids, contributing to a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of chiroptical property in such systems.
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