Macromolecular helicity induction in a cationic polyacetylene assisted by an anionic polyisocyanide with helicity memory in water: replication of macromolecular helicity.

We report the first example of the replication of macromolecular helicity. An optically active helical and anionic polyelectrolyte, the sodium salt of poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide), was found to serve as the template for further helicity induction in a different polyelectrolyte with opposite charges in water, resulting in interpolymer helical assemblies with controlled helicity. The effects of the pH and salt concentration on the helicity induction were investigated.