Dynamic chiral selection and amplification using photoresponsive organogelators

The ability to select, amplify, and lock dynamic equilibria is of great interest into understanding and applying chiral systems in Nature. The dynamic equilibrium between P and M helicity of a nonchiral diarylethene switch 3 could selectively be coaggregated in the gel state by complementary chiral switches 1 and 2 (that itself is also subjected to the same equilibrium between P and M helicity). Enantiomeric excess as high as 94% was observed during this dual task for 1 and 2 (arranging itself and 3 in only one conformation during aggregation). Interestingly, opposite chiral induction was observed, although the conformation of both 1 and 2 is R.