The Structural Origins of Intense Circular Dichroism in a Waggling Helicene Nanoribbon

J Am Chem Soc. 2020 Apr 15;142(15):7066-7074. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c00646. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Abstract

We report the synthesis of a new perylene-diimide-based helical nanoribbon, which exhibits the largest molar electronic circular dichroism in the visible range of any molecule. This nanoribbon also displays a substantial increase in molar circular dichroism relative to a smaller helical analogue, even though they share a similar structure: both nanoribbons incorporate two conformationally dynamic double-[4]helicene termini and a rigid [6]helicene-based core within their helical superstructures. Using DFT and TDDFT calculations, we find that the double-[4]helicenes within both nanoribbons orient similarly in solution; as such, conformational differences do not account for the disparities in circular dichroism. Instead, our results implicate the configuration of the double-[6]helicene within the larger nanoribbon as the source of the observed chiroptical amplification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / standards*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polycyclic Compounds
  • helicenes