Synthesis and tunable chiroptical properties of amphiphilic helical polyacetylenes

A group of new amphiphilic macromolecules comprised of hydrophobic polyacetylene backbone and hydrophilic pendant groups of naturally occurring species such as amino acids, saccharides, and nucleosides are synthesized. The polymers exhibit solvatochromism. The macromolecular chains show helical conformations that depend on the molecular structures of the pendants, solvent, temperature, pH, and additives.