Helical Polymers with Dynamic and Static Macromolecular Helicity Memory: The Power of Helicity Memory for Helical Polymer Synthesis and Applications

Abstract In this Account, we describe the recent progress in the synthesis and unique features and functions of helical polymers with a controlled handedness based on the noncovalent helicity induction and subsequent memory of the helicity strategy that we have developed during the past two decades. Remarkable progress has been achieved in the emerging research area of helical polymers over the past decades, producing a number of helical polymers with various structures and functions. Nevertheless, the helical polymers with dynamic and static helicity memory have been proved to be exceptional and like no other among a huge number of helical polymers prepared so far because of their unique and exclusively outstanding features, such that an excess handed helicity, once induced by noncovalent weak chiral interactions, is immediately memorized accompanied by a significant amplification of the helical chirality, leading to a long-lasting helicity memory. This finding has a significant impact on the development of novel advanced chiral materials, such as switchable chiral stationary phases for separating enantiomers and asymmetric catalysts, which will also be described in this Account.