Hierarchy of asymmetry at work: chain-dependent helix-to-helix interactions in supramolecular polymers

Abstract

A detailed investigation of the hierarchy of asymmetry operating in the self-assembly of achiral (1) and chiral ((S)-2 and (R)-3) 1,3,5-triphenylbenzenetricarboxamides (TPBAs) is reported. The aggregation of these TPBAs is conditioned by the point chirality at the peripheral side chains for (S)-2 and (R)-3. An efficient helix-to-helix interaction that goes further in the organization of fibrillar bundles is experimentally detected and theoretically supported only for the achiral TPBA 1. The effective interdigitation of the achiral aliphatic side chains produces a social self-sorting to form preferentially heterochiral macromolecular aggregates.