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Diverse Role of Solvents in Controlling Supramolecular Chirality
Author(s) -
Xue Shixin,
Xing Pengyao,
Zhang Jingbo,
Zeng Yongfei,
Zhao Yanli
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201900714
Subject(s) - chirality (physics) , supramolecular chemistry , supramolecular chirality , intermolecular force , polarity (international relations) , solvent , chemical physics , self assembly , solvent polarity , materials science , nanotechnology , polar , chemistry , molecule , organic chemistry , physics , biochemistry , chiral symmetry breaking , quantum mechanics , astronomy , nambu–jona lasinio model , cell , quark
Supramolecular self‐assembly stands for the spontaneous aggregation of small organic compounds or polymers into ordered structures at any scale. When being induced by inherent molecular chiral centers or ambient asymmetric factors, asymmetric spatial arrangement between building units shall occur, which is defined as supramolecular chirality. Except for molecular design, utilizing external stimulus factors to tune supramolecular chirality is a promising approach. In this Concept article, we particularly discuss the important role of solvents in manipulating the chirality of self‐assembled systems. The impact of solvents on the chirality is generally based on three properties of solvents, i.e., chirality, polarity, and active coassembly with building blocks. Molecular self‐assembly in chiral solvents could undergo the chirality transfer, exhibiting a chiral induction effect. Solvent polarity often determines intermolecular orientation. As a consequence, those building blocks with both polar and apolar segments might change their chirality depending on the solvent polarity. We elaborate the active participation of solvent molecules into ordered structures together with building blocks, where solvents and building blocks exhibit a coassembly manner. By specific treatments such as heating and cooling, solvents could be released or re‐entrapped, allowing a smart control over supramolecular chirality. The solvent effect in manipulating two‐dimensional chiral self‐assemblies is then discussed. The perspective and future development in this research field are presented at last.