An Optically Active Polymer for Broad‐Spectrum Enantiomeric Recognition of Chiral Acids. Issue 24 (10th April 2017) - Yan, Jijun
Abstract: Recognition of enantiomers of chiral acids by anion–π or lone pair–π interactions has not yet been investigated but is a significant and attractive challenge. This study reports an optically active polymer‐based supramolecular system with capabilities of discriminating enantiomers of various chiral acids. The polymer featuring alternate π‐acidic naphthalenediimides (NDIs) and methyll ‐phenylalaninates in the backbone exhibits an unprecedented slow self‐assembly process that is susceptible to perturbation by various chiral acids. Thus, the combination of anion–π or lone pair–π interactions and sensitivity of the polymeric self‐assembly process to external chiral species endows the system with recognition capabilities. This is the first time that anion–π or lone pair–π interactions have been applied in the recognition of enantiomers of various chiral acids with a single system. The results shed light on new strategies for material design by integrating π‐acidic aromatic systems and chiral building blocks to afford relevant advanced functions. Abstract : Grouping up : π‐Acidic aromatic systems and chiral building blocks in a polymer backbone affords unique self‐assembly behavior and the capability of recognizing enantiomers of various chiral acids. The anion–π or lone pair–π interactions between anions or neutral acids with naphthalenediimides (NDIs) perturb the self‐assembly process of the polymer, which provides a novel strategy for designing polymeric materials to achieve advanced functions.