Chiral communication in polymer systems: Generation and regulation of asymmetric structures

Abstract

Chiral communication represents a fundamental characteristic of living systems and serves as a critical bridge linking molecular chirality with the macroscopic properties of chiral materials. In chiral polymer systems, chiral information can be effectively transmitted across different building units, spatial scales, and hierarchical levels through covalent and noncovalent interactions. This process allows subtle chiral biases to be progressively accumulated and amplified into coincident chiral conformations, which can be further expressed in supramolecular assemblies and even macroscopic materials. A profound understanding and precise regulation of chiral communication in polymer systems not only provides a significant theoretical foundation for the rational design of novel chiral functional materials but also helps reveal the intrinsic laws governing the origin and transmission of chirality in living systems. In this perspective, we present a concise overview of chiral communication in polymer systems and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Representative examples are highlighted to illustrate the generation and regulation of asymmetric structures driven by chiral communication, along with an overview of related applications in chiral functional materials, which aims to offer new insights to transcend existing research paradigms and propel the further development of this field.