writer：J. Hu, L. Gao, Y.-L. Zhu, P.-Y. Wang, Y. Lin, Z.-Y. Sun, S. Yang, Q. Wang
keywords：Chiral Assemblies
source：期刊
specific source：Chemistry - A European Journal, 23, 6 (2016)
Issue time：2016年
Chiral helical structures have attracted increasing attention in the field of supramolecular assembly due to their critical roles in life and material sciences. In this research, an achiral amphiphile (1-[11-(2-anthracenylmethoxy)-11-oxoundecyl]pyridinium bromide, 2-APB), where the hydrophobic anthracene and the hydrophilic pyridinium units are linked by alkyl chains, was found to form chiral supramolecular assemblies in a cooperative manner in the presence of iodide anion. Moreover, these assemblies show left (L)- or right (R)-handedness randomly, independent of the assembly conditions. Using the same method, 2-APB could assemble together with other pseudo-halogen anions (OCN-, SCN-, SeCN-) that have similar anionic radius as iodide to form chiral structures. This work illustrates a simple and rational design to fabricate supramolecular chiral structures from achiral molecules.