| Abstract: | The formation of a cylinder‐like helical conformation induced by solvation was observed from a conjugated polymer poly(N‐octylcarbazole ethylene). The polymer was synthesized by McMurry condensation using N‐octyl‐3,6‐diformylcarbazole as monomer, in which the alkylcarbazolyl group was functioned as a turn angle. IR analysis indicated that the double bond in the polymer chain mainly takes a cis‐ conformation. Computer simulation revealed that the polymer could form into a hollow tubular nano‐structure with a cavity of less than 1 nm in diameter by folding its strand. The helical conformation formed by solvent induction was further proved by the measurements of circular dichroism (CD) spectrum, specific rotatory power and fluorescent (FL) spectra. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
