Empty Helical Nanochannels with Adjustable Order from Low‐Symmetry Macrocycles

Abstract

Take the tube: Self-organization of shape-persistent macrocycles in the liquid-crystalline phase by π–π stacking leads to empty nanochannels that have an inner diameter above one nanometer and either tight or more permeable walls (see picture). Solid-state NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm that the channels do not contain solvent molecules or alkyl chains.