Helical polymer-metal complexes: The role of metal ions on the helicity and the supramolecular architecture of poly(phenylacetylene)s

Abstract

New helical poly(phenylacetylene)s have been successfully designed and synthesised and their properties checked. The new polymers behave as sensors of metal cation valences and/or the polar and donor character of solvents. In the presence of metal salts, poly(phenylacetylene)s form helical polymer-metal complexes (HPMCs) that, in the case of α-methoxyphenylacetic acid (MPA)-containing poly(phenylacetylene), has led to a new family of nanospheres made by complexation between the polymer and divalent metal ions. These HPMC nanostructures present properties such as: (1) their diameter can be tuned to different sizes, (2) the helicity of the polymeric material can be tuned to either of the two helical senses, and (3) they can encapsulate a number of inorganic and organic substances. These polymers also display phenomena such as helical inversion, chiral amplification and axial chirality selection, making them versatile materials. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.