Chirality-Responsive Helical Polymers

Abstract

Unique macromolecules that fold into a preferred-handed helical conformation induced by external chiral stimuli are mainly described in this review. In contrast to small molecular systems, the chiral information of nonracemic guest molecules transfers with a significant amplification in a dynamic helical polymer, such as stereoregular poly(phenylacetylene)s bearing functional pendant groups as an excess of a single-handed helix through noncovalent bonding interaction, which provides an efficient chirality-sensing system. The chirality sensing of other oligomers (foldamers) is also briefly described.