Macrocycle-Nanoclay\nCoassembly with Modulable Supramolecular\nChirality Indicated by Surface Charges

Macrocyclic arenes with inherent or postmodified chirality\nare\nemerging supramolecular synthons in asymmetric sensing, recognition,\norganosynthesis, and chiroptical applications due to their cavity\nand inclusion phenomena. Herein, we explore the self-assembly of amino\nacid-conjugated heteroatomic calixarenes whose supramolecular chirality\ncould be modulated by amino nanoclay. The macrocycles undergo self-assembly\ndriven by anion recognition to transfer the chirality from amino acids\nto the supramolecular level, which depends on the structures of amino\nacids. The participation of aliphatic amine-grafted nanoclays disrupts\nindividual anion recognition by the formation of electrostatic interaction\npairs. The coassembly between macrocycles and nanoclay is accompanied\nby the evolution of supramolecular chirality, resulting in handedness\ninversion. The inverted supramolecular chirality, other than the chiroptical\nproperties, can be indicated and monitored by surface charge and zeta\npotential in a high-fidelity manner. This work delicately utilizes\nswitchable anion-recognition chemistry to establish a dynamic supramolecular\nchiral system, which sheds light on new protocols toward chiroptical\nsensing.