Inducing Chiral Response in Conjugated Polymers Composed of Achiral Monomers Using Chiral End Groups

Chiral expression in conjugated polymers is commonly achieved through the incorporation of stereogenic carbon atoms into the side chains of the polymer backbone. In this study, we explore the potential of inducing chiral expression in conjugated polymers by introducing chiral end groups via isolated external chiral initiators despite the presence of achiral side chains in the poly(3-octylthiophene) backbone. Two classes of chiral end groups are investigated: stilbene derivatives containing stereogenic carbon atoms in their side chains and (S)-(−)-1,1′-bi(2-naphthol) derivatives that exhibit axial chirality. Through solvatochromism experiments combined with UV-vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, we identified the conditions necessary to induce chiral expression during supramolecular polymer aggregation.