Bipyridinium radical cation dimerization-driven polymeric pleated foldamers and a homoduplex that undergo ion-tuned interconversion†
Abstract
Four oligo(ethylene glycol)-linked bipyridinium (BIPY2+) polymers have been prepared via forming hydrazone bonds. Reducing the BIPY2+ units into a radical cation (BIPY˙+) with zinc induces the polymers to fold into pleated states or form a duplex via BIPY˙+ dimerization. The duplex and foldamer can convert into each other by alternately adding NH4+ and NEt3.