An unprecedented memory of macromolecular helicity induced in an achiral polyisocyanide in water

Masayoshi Ishikawa; Katsuhiro Maeda; Yuuki Mitsutsuji; Eiji Yashima

doi:10.1021/ja039279k

An unprecedented memory of macromolecular helicity induced in an achiral polyisocyanide in water

J Am Chem Soc. 2004 Jan 28;126(3):732-3. doi: 10.1021/ja039279k.

Authors

Masayoshi Ishikawa¹, Katsuhiro Maeda, Yuuki Mitsutsuji, Eiji Yashima

Affiliation

¹ Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.

PMID: 14733544
DOI: 10.1021/ja039279k

Abstract

We have found an unprecedented memory of macromolecular helicity induced in an achiral sodium salt of poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) (poly-1-Na). Poly-1-Na folds into a one-handed helix through configurational isomerization around the C=N backbones by interactions with optically active amines in water. The helix remains when the optically active amines are completely removed, and further modifications of the side group to carboxy and esters can be possible without loss of the macromolecular helicity memory.