Helical organization of m-linked rigid polymers with pendant flexible dendrons

Abstract

The synthesis of conformationally flexible, m-linked rigid monomers containing flexible side group and its polymerization with 4,4′- bis(bromomethyl)biphenyl to yield m-linked aromatic polymers were discussed. The secondary structure of the resulting polymers appeared to be dependent on the molecular structure of the side group in the solid state. The polymer based on a bulky dendritic chain adopted a helical conformation that self-organized into a tetragonal columnar structure. Analysis suggests that this class of self-assembling system may allow the design of well-defined helical tubules with desired functions.