Issue 21, 2023

Chiral supramolecular polymers

Abstract

As an active branch within the field of supramolecular polymers, chiral supramolecular polymers (SPs) are an excellent benchmark to generate helical structures that can clarify the origin of homochirality in Nature or help determine new exciting functionalities of organic materials. Herein, we highlight the most utilized strategies to build up chiral SPs by using chiral monomeric units or external stimuli. Selected examples of transfer of asymmetry, in which the point or axial chirality contained by the monomeric units is efficiently transferred to the supramolecular scaffold yielding enantioenriched helical structures, will be presented. The importance of the thermodynamics and kinetics associated with those processes is stressed, especially the influence that parameters such as the helix reversal and mismatch penalties exert on the achievement of amplification of asymmetry in co-assembled systems will also be considered. Remarkable examples of breaking symmetry, in which chiral supramolecular polymers can be attained from achiral self-assembling units by applying external stimuli like stirring, solvent or light, are highlighted. Finally, the specific and promising applications of chiral supramolecular polymers are presented with recent relevant examples.

Graphical abstract: Chiral supramolecular polymers

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
24 Jun 2023
First published
11 Oct 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 7524-7548

Chiral supramolecular polymers

F. García, R. Gómez and L. Sánchez, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023, 52, 7524 DOI: 10.1039/D3CS00470H

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