Optically active helical substituted polyacetylenes showing reversible helix inversion in emulsion and solution state

Abstract

This Communication reports two substituted polyacetylenes that can adopt helical structures of preferential screw sense in both emulsion (nanoparticle) and solution; however, the handedness of the macromolecular helices is just opposite in the two states. More interestingly, the helical screw sense of the polymers demonstrated a reversible transition between the two states. The unprecedented findings are of significant importance for acquiring new insights into helical polymers and for developing novel advanced chiral materials. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.