Spacer Control of Directionality in Supramolecular Helicates Using an Inexpensive Approach

Abstract

Careful selection of the spacer group used to separate the metal-binding domains allows control of the directionality in a helix; self-assembly leads uniquely to a double-helical cation with a head-to-tail (HT) configuration (shown schematically) in both the solid state and solution.