Plasmonic Chirality Imprinting on Nucleobase‐Displaying Supramolecular Nanohelices by Metal–Nucleobase Recognition

Supramolecular self‐assembly is an important process that enables the conception of complex structures mimicking biological motifs. Herein, we constructed helical fibrils through chiral self‐assembly of nucleobase–peptide conjugates (NPCs), where achiral nucleobases are helically displayed on the surface of fibrils, comparable to polymerized nucleic acids. Selective binding between DNA and the NPC fibrils was observed with fluorescence polarization. Taking advantage of metal–nucleobase recognition, we highlight the possibility of deposition/assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles onto the fibrillar constructs. In this approach, the supramolecular chirality of NPCs can be adaptively imparted to metallic nanoparticles, covering them to generate structures with plasmonic chirality that exhibit significantly improved colloidal stability. The self‐assembly of rationally designed NPCs into nanohelices is a promising way to engineer complex, optically diverse nucleobase‐derived nanomaterials.     

Cooperative Chirality and Sequential Energy Transfer in a Supramolecular Light‐Harvesting Nanotube

By constructing a supramolecular light‐harvesting chiral nanotube in the aqueous phase, we demonstrate a cooperative energy and chirality transfer. It was found that a cyanostilbene‐appended glutamate compound (CG) self‐assembled into helical nanotubes exhibiting both supramolecular chirality and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). When two achiral acceptors, ThT and AO, with different energy bands were co‐assembled with the nanotube, the CG nanotube could transfer its chirality to both of the acceptors. The excitation energy could be transferred to ThT but only be sequentially transferred to AO. During this process, the CPL ascribed to the acceptor could be sequentially amplified. This work provides a new insight into the understanding the cooperative chirality and energy transfer in a chiral supramolecular system, which is similar to the natural light‐harvesting antennas.     

Dual Upconverted and Downconverted Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Donor–Acceptor Assemblies

Through mimicking both the chiral and energy transfer in an artificial self‐assembled system, not only was chiral transfer realized but also a dual upconverted and downconverted energy transfer system was created that emit circularly polarized luminescence. The individual chiral π‐gelator can self‐assemble into a nanofiber exhibiting supramolecular chirality and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). In the presence of an achiral sensitizer Pd^II octaethylporphyrin derivative, both chirality transfer from chiral gelator to achiral sensitizer and triplet‐triplet energy transfer from excited sensitizer to chiral gelator could be realized. Upconverted CPL could be observed through a triplet–triplet annihilation photon upconversion (TTA‐UC), while downconverted CPL could be obtained from chirality‐transfer‐induced emission of the achiral sensitizer. The interplay between chiral energy acceptor and achiral sensitizer promoted the communication of chiral and excited energy information.     

Solvent‐Induced Helical Assembly and Reversible Chiroptical Switching of Chiral Cyclic‐Dipeptide‐Functionalized Naphthalenediimides

Understanding the roles of various parameters in orchestrating the preferential chiral molecular organization in supramolecular self‐assembly processes is of great significance in designing novel molecular functional systems. Cyclic dipeptide (CDP) chiral auxiliary‐functionalized naphthalenediimides (NCDPs 1 – 6 ) have been prepared and their chiral self‐assembly properties have been investigated. Detailed photophysical and circular dichroism (CD) studies have unveiled the crucial role of the solvent in the chiral aggregation of these NCDPs. NCDPs 1 – 3 form supramolecular helical assemblies and exhibit remarkable chiroptical switching behaviour (M‐ to P‐type) depending on the solvent composition of HFIP and DMSO. The strong influence of solvent composition on the supramolecular chirality of NCDPs has been further corroborated by concentration and solid‐state thin‐film CD studies. The chiroptical switching between supramolecular aggregates of opposite helicity (M and P) has been found to be reversible, and can be achieved through cycles of solvent removal and redissolution in solvent mixtures of specific composition. The control molecular systems (NCDPs 4 – 6 ), with an achiral or D ‐isomer second amino acid in the CDP auxiliary, did not show chiral aggregation properties. The substantial roles of hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in the assembly of the NCDPs have been validated through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), photophysical, and computational studies. Quantum chemical calculations at the ab initio, semiempirical, and density functional theory levels have been performed on model systems to understand the stabilities of the right (P‐) and left (M‐) handed helical supramolecular assemblies and the nature of the intermolecular interactions. This study emphasizes the role of CDP chiral auxiliaries on the solvent‐induced helical assembly and reversible chiroptical switching of naphthalenediimides.     

Oligopeptide‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of Oligothiophenes: Co‐Assembly and Chirality Transfer

The biomolecule‐assisted self‐assembly of semiconductive molecules has been developed recently for the formation of potential bio‐based functional materials. Oligopeptide‐assisted self‐assembly of oligothiophene through weak intermolecular interactions was investigated; specifically the self‐assembly and chirality‐transfer behavior of achiral oligothiophenes in the presence of an oligopeptide with a strong tendency to form β‐sheets. Two kinds of oligothiophenes without (QT) or with (QTDA) carboxylic groups were selected to explore the effect of the end functional group on self‐assembly and chirality transfer. In both cases, organogels were formed. However, the assembly behavior of QT was quite different from that of QTDA. It was found that QT formed an organogel with the oligopeptide and co‐assembled into chiral nanostructures. Conversely, although QTDA also formed a gel with the oligopeptide, it has a strong tendency to self‐assemble independently. However, during the formation of the xerogel, the chirality of the oligopeptide can also be transferred to the QTDA assemblies. Different assembly models were proposed to explain the assembly behavior.     

Assembly of an Achiral Chromophore into Light‐Responsive Helical Nanostructures in the Absence of Chiral Components

The chirality found in living organisms is one of unsolved mysteries on Earth. It is crucial to understand the manner in which small achiral molecules evolve into helical superstructures in the absence of chiral components because this process can provide important insights regarding the origin of chirality in nature. 1) the uncommon helical assembly of an achiral trigonal chromophore into helical nanostructures with aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) characteristics and 2) the tunability of the helical pitch and fluorescence intensity in response to light is reported. The Rietveld refinement of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and the growth process suggest that a striking transformation from an achiral to an asymmetric molecule can occur as a result of specific interactions with certain solvents, presumably leading to the unique helical assembly. More importantly, exposure to UV or visible light promoted not only the formation of irregular helical structures with a wide range of pitch lengths but also an increase in fluorescence intensity.     

Tuning Achiral to Chiral Supramolecular Helical Superstructures

The design and synthesis of achiral organic functional molecules which can assemble into a chiral with selective handedness in the absence of chiral substances is an important in understanding the role chirality plays within these systems. In this review, we described general approaches towards supramolecular chiral molecules the synthesis and self‐assembly of achiral molecule to active chiral molecules to investigate controlled supramolecular chiral nanostructures with their photoluminescent properties for rapid, sensitive and selective detection of analytes of choice. Various small molecules have been discussed for achiral to chiral along with induction of chirality and controlled chiral helical structures in detail. We discussed few examples where stimuli used to control the chirality such as temperature, pH etc. Finally, we will also explore on the photo responsive helicity properties of the aggregation induced emission active molecule such as tetraphenylethene conjugates.     

Entropically Favoured Assembly of Pyrazine‐Based Helical Fibers into Superstructures: Achiral/ Chiral Guest‐Induced Chirality Transformation

The development of synthetic helical structures undergoing stimuli‐responsive chirality transformations is important for an understanding of the role of chirality in natural systems. However, controlling supramolecular chirality in entropically driven assemblies in aqueous media is challenging. To develop stimuli‐responsive assemblies, we designed and synthesized pyrazine derivatives with l ‐alanine groups as chiral building blocks. These systems undergo self‐assembly in aqueous media to generate helical fibers and the embedded alanine groups transfer their chirality to the assembled structures. Furthermore, these helical fibers undergo a Ni²⁺‐induced chirality transformation. The study demonstrates the role of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and the hydrophobic effect in the Ni²⁺‐mediated transition of helical fibers to supercoiled helical ensembles which mimic the formation of superstructures in biopolymers.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly in Liquid‐Crystalline Block Copolymers Enabled by Chirality Transfer

Helical topological structures are often found in chiral biological systems, but seldom in synthesized polymers. Now, controllable microphase separation of amphiphilic liquid‐crystalline block copolymers (LCBCs) consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) and hydrophobic azobenzene‐containing poly(methylacrylate) is combined with chirality transfer to fabricate helical nanostructures by doping with chiral additives (enantiopure tartaric acid). Through hydrogen‐bonding interactions, chirality is transferred from the dopant to the aggregation, which directs the hierarchical self‐assembly in the composite system. Upon optimized annealing condition, helical structures in film are fabricated by the induced aggregation chirality. The photoresponsive azobenzene mesogens in the LCBC assist photoregulation of the self‐assembled helical morphologies. This allows the construction and non‐contact manipulation of complicated nanostructures.     

The Helix to Super‐Helix Transition in the Self‐Assembly of π‐Systems: Superseding of Molecular Chirality at Hierarchical Level

Higher‐order super‐helical structures derived from biological molecules are known to evolve through opposite coiling of the initial helical fibers, as seen in collagen protein. A similar phenomenon is observed in a π‐system self‐assembly of chiral oligo(phenyleneethylene) derivatives (S )‐ 1 and (R )‐ 1 that explains the unequal formation of both left‐ and right‐handed helices from molecule having a specific chiral center. Concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent circular dichroism (CD) and UV/Vis spectroscopic studies revealed that the initial formation of helical aggregates is in accordance with the molecular chirality. At the next level of hierarchical self‐assembly, coiling of the fibers occurs with opposite handedness, thereby superseding the command of the molecular chirality. This was confirmed by solvent‐dependent decoiling of super‐helical structures and concentration‐dependent morphological analysis.     

Self‐Assembled Luminescent Quantum Dots To Generate Full‐Color and White Circularly Polarized Light

The design and fabrication of quantum dots (QDs) with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) has been a great challenge in developing chiroptical materials. We herein propose an alternative to the use of chiral capping reagents on QDs for the fabrication of CPL‐active QDs that is based on the supramolecular self‐assembly of achiral QDs with chiral gelators. Full‐color‐tunable CPL‐active QDs were obtained by simple mixing or gelation of a chiral gelator and achiral 3‐mercaptopropionic acid capped QDs. In addition, the handedness of the CPL can be controlled by the supramolecular chirality of the gels. Moreover, QDs with circularly polarized white light emission were fabricated for the first time by tuning the blending ratio of colorful QDs in the gel. The chirality transfer in the co‐assembly of the achiral QDs with the gelator and the spacer effect of the capping reagents on the QD surface are also discussed. This work provides new insight into the design of functional chiroptical materials.     

Inversion of the Supramolecular Chirality of Nanofibrous Structures through Co‐Assembly with Achiral Molecules

To understand the behavior of chiral nanostructures, it is of critical importance to study how achiral molecules regulate the chirality of such nanostructures and what the main driving forces for the regulation processes are. In this work, the supramolecular chirality of helical nanofibers consisting of phenylalanine‐based enantiomers is inverted by achiral bis(pyridinyl) derivatives through co‐assembly. This inversion is mainly mediated by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions between the achiral additives and the chiral molecules, which may induce stereoselective interactions and different reorientations for the assembled molecules, as confirmed by calculations. This work not only exemplifies a feasible method to invert the helicity of chiral nanostructures by the addition of achiral molecules, but also provides a method to explore their functions in environments where chiral and achiral molecules are in close proximity.     

Helical Nano‐crystallite (HNC) Phases: Chirality Synchronization of Achiral Bent‐Core Mesogens in a New Type of Dark Conglomerates

Spontaneous generation of macroscopic homochirality in soft matter systems by self‐assembly of exclusively achiral molecules under achiral conditions is a challenging task with relevance for fundamental scientific research and technological applications. Dark conglomerate phases (DC phases), being optically isotropic mesophases composed of conglomerates of macroscopic chiral domains and formed by some non‐chiral bent‐core mesogens, represent such a case. Here we report two new series of non‐symmetric bent‐core molecules capable of forming a new type of mirror symmetry broken DC phases. In the synthesized molecules, a bent 4‐bromoresorcinol core is connected to a phenyl benzoate wing and an azobenzene wing with or without additional peripheral fluorine substitution. The self‐assembly was investigated by DSC, polarizing microscopy, electro‐optical studies and XRD. Chiral and apparently achiral DC phases were observed besides distinct types of lamellar liquid crystalline phases with different degree of polar order, allowing the investigation of the transition from smectic to DC phases. This indicates a process in which increased packing density at first gives rise to restricted rotation and thus to growing polar order, which then leads to chirality synchronization, layer frustration and nano‐scale crystallization. Topological constraints arising from the twisted packing of helical conformers in lamellar crystals is proposed to lead to amorphous solids composed of helical nano‐crystallites with short coherence length (HNC phases). This is considered as a third major type of DC phases, distinct from the previously known liquid crystalline sponge phases and the helical nano‐filament phases (HNF phases). Guidelines for the molecular design of new materials capable of self‐assembly into these three types of DC phases are proposed.     

Self‐Assembly of Achiral Shape Amphiphiles into Multi‐Walled Nanotubes via Helicity‐Selective Nucleation and Growth

Soft nanotubes are normally constructed from chiral amphiphiles through helical self‐assembly. Yet, how to self‐assemble achiral molecules into nanotubes is still a challenge. Here, we report the nanotube construction with achiral shape amphiphiles through helical self‐assembly and also unravel the formation mechanisms. The amphiphiles have a dumbbell shape and are composed by covalently linking three achiral moieties together: two unlike clusters and an organic tether. The difference in polarity between the unlike clusters drives the amphiphiles to self‐assemble into single‐ and multi‐walled nanotubes as well as intermediates. Analysis of the key intermediates unravels the self‐assembly mechanism of helicity‐selective nucleation and growth. Meanwhile, direct visualization of the individual clusters in the ribbons displays a two‐dimensional deformed hexagonal lattice. Thus, we speculate that it is the lattice deformation that creates anisotropic tension along different directions of the ribbon which further results in the formation of helical ribbons towards nanotubes by amphiphiles.     

Control of H‐ and J‐Type π Stacking by Peripheral Alkyl Chains and Self‐Sorting Phenomena in Perylene Bisimide Homo‐ and Heteroaggregates

The synthesis, self‐assembly, and gelation ability of a series of organogelators based on perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes containing amide groups at imide positions are reported. The synergetic effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the amide functionalities and π–π stacking between the PBI units directs the formation of the self‐assembled structure in solution, which beyond a certain concentration results in gelation. Effects of different peripheral alkyl substituents on the self‐assembly were studied by solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent UV‐visible and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. PBI derivatives containing linear alkyl side chains in the periphery formed H‐type π stacks and red gels, whereas by introducing branched alkyl chains the formation of J‐type π stacks and green gels could be achieved. Sterically demanding substituents, in particular, the 2‐ethylhexyl group completely suppressed the π stacking. Coaggregation studies with H‐ and J‐aggregating chromophores revealed the formation of solely H‐type π stacks containing both precursor molecules at a lower mole fraction of J‐aggregating chromophore. Beyond a critical composition of the two chromophores, mixed H‐aggregate and J‐aggregate were formed simultaneously, which points to a self‐sorting process. The versatility of the gelators is strongly dependent on the length and nature of the peripheral alkyl substituents. CD spectroscopic studies revealed a preferential helicity of the aggregates of PBI building blocks bearing chiral side chains. Even for achiral PBI derivatives, the utilization of chiral solvents such as (R)‐ or (S)‐limonene was effective in preferential population of one‐handed helical fibers. AFM studies revealed the formation of helical fibers from all the present PBI gelators, irrespective of the presence of chiral or achiral side chains. Furthermore, vortex flow was found to be effective in macroscopic orientation of the aggregates as evidenced from the origin of CD signals from aggregates of achiral PBI molecules.     

In Situ Controlled Construction of a Hierarchical Supramolecular Chiral Liquid‐Crystalline Polymer Assembly

Hierarchical supramolecular chiral liquid‐crystalline (LC) polymer assemblies are challenging to construct in situ in a controlled manner. Now, polymerization‐induced chiral self‐assembly (PICSA) is reported. Hierarchical supramolecular chiral azobenzene‐containing block copolymer (Azo‐BCP) assemblies were constructed with π–π stacking interactions occurring in the layered structure of Azo smectic phases. The evolution of chirality from terminal alkyl chain to Azo mesogen building blocks and further induction of supramolecular chirality in LC BCP assemblies during PICSA is achieved. Morphologies such as spheres, worms, helical fibers, lamellae, and vesicles were observed. The morphological transition had a crucial effect on the chiral expression of Azo‐BCP assemblies. The supramolecular chirality of Azo‐BCP assemblies destroyed by 365 nm UV irradiation can be recovered by heating–cooling treatment; this dynamic reversible achiral–chiral switching can be repeated at least five times.     

Synthesis,structural, and retrostructural analysis of helical dendronized poly(1‐naphthylacetylene)s

Structural and retrostructural analysis of chiral, nonracemic ( poly [(3,4,5)dm8G1‐1EN] ), and achiral ( poly[(3,4,5)12G1‐1EN] ) poly(1‐naphthylacetylene)s demonstrates new design principles for helical dendronized polyarylacetylenes. The oblate cylindrical dendronized polymers self‐organize in a c2mm centered rectangular columnar (Φ_r‐c) lattice. An all cis‐polyene backbone microstructure with very high cisoid character is introduced to rationalize features from small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction experiments. More compact helical conformations are ideal for efficient communication or amplification of chirality over long distances. Peripheral chiral tails select a preferred helical screw sense of the polyene backbone. In solution, the preferred helical conformation persists over a wide temperature range. In bulk, the naphthyl moiety facilitates a longer correlation length for helical order compared to an analogous minidendritic poly(phenylacetylene). These attributes suggest that the naphthyl moiety may be better suited for expressing helical chirality in monolayer domains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4974–4987, 2007     

Tuning the Chirality of Block Copolymers: From Twisted Morphologies to Nanospheres by Self‐Assembly

New advances into the chirality effect in the self‐assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) have been achieved by tuning the helicity of the chiral‐core‐forming blocks. The chiral BCPs {[N?P(R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂]_200?x[N?P(OC₅H₄N)₂]_x}‐b‐ [N?PMePh]₅₀ ((R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂=(R)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐dioxy, OC₅H₄N=4‐pyridinoxy (OPy); x=10, 30, 60, 100 for 3 a – d , respectively), in which the [N?P(OPy)₂] units are randomly distributed within the chiral block, have been synthesised. The chiroptical properties of the BCPs ([α]_D vs. T and CD) demonstrated that the helicity of the BCP chains may be simply controlled by the relative proportion of the chiral and achiral (i.e., [N?P(R)‐O₂C₂₀H₁₂] and [N?P(OPy)₂], respectively) units. Thus, although 3 a only contained only 5 % [N?P(OPy)₂] units and exhibited a preferential helical sense, 3 d with 50 % of this unit adopted non‐preferred helical conformations. This gradual variation of the helicity allowed us to examine the chirality effect on the self‐assembly of chiral and helical BCPs (i.e., 3 a – c ) and chiral but non‐helical BCPs (i.e., 3 d ). The very significant influence of the helicity on the self‐assembly of these materials resulted in a variety of morphologies that extend from helical nanostructures to pearl‐necklace aggregates and nanospheres (i.e., 3 b and 3 d , respectively). We also demonstrate that the presence of pyridine moieties in BCPs 3 a – d allows specific decoration with gold nanoparticles.     

A Carbon Dioxide Bubble‐Induced Vortex Triggers Co‐Assembly of Nanotubes with Controlled Chirality

It is challenging to prepare co‐organized nanotube systems with controlled nanoscale chirality in an aqueous liquid flow field. Such systems are responsive to a bubbled external gas. A liquid vortex induced by bubbling carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas was used to stimulate the formation of nanotubes with controlled chirality; two kinds of achiral cationic building blocks were co‐assembled in aqueous solution. CO₂‐triggered nanotube formation occurs by formation of metastable intermediate structures (short helical ribbons and short tubules) and by transition from short tubules to long tubules in response to chirality matching self‐assembly. Interestingly, the chirality sign of these assemblies can be selected for by the circulation direction of the CO₂ bubble‐induced vortex during the co‐assembly process.     

Enhanced Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Emissive Charge‐Transfer Complexes

Achieving a large dissymmetry factor (g_lum) is a challenge in the field of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). A chiral charge‐transfer (CT) system consisting of chiral electron donor and achiral electron acceptor shows bright circularly polarized emission with large g_lum value. The chiral emissive CT complexes could be fabricated through various approaches, such as grinding, crystallization, spin coating, and gelatinization, by simply blending chiral donor and achiral acceptor. The structural synergy originating from π–π stacking and strong CT interactions resulted in the long‐range ordered self‐assembly, enabling the formation of supramolecular gels. Benefiting from the large magnetic dipole transition moment in the CT state, the CPL activity of CT complexes exhibited large circular polarization. Our design strategy of the chiral emissive CT complexes is expected to help the development of new molecular engineering strategies for designing highly efficient CPL‐active materials.