Higher-Order π-Electron Systems Based on Helicene Molecules

Abstract

Owing to their helical topology, helicenes, polycyclic aromatic compounds with nonplanar screw-shaped skeletons, provide high optical rotations, high circular dichroism values, and several enhanced physical organic properties. Supramolecular chirality generated from regular arrangement of helicenes further amplifies their inherent chiroptical properties. Here in this chapter, examples of higher-order molecular architectures of helicenes and their related compounds in aggregates, in crystals, and in macromolecules connected by covalent bonds are summarized, and their unique chiroptical properties are discussed.