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

Chiral\nexpression in conjugated polymers is commonly achieved through\nthe incorporation of stereogenic carbon atoms into the side chains\nof the polymer backbone. In this study, we explore the potential of\ninducing chiral expression in conjugated polymers by introducing chiral\nend groups via isolated external chiral initiators despite the presence\nof achiral side chains in the poly(3-octylthiophene) backbone. Two\nclasses of chiral end groups are investigated: stilbene derivatives\ncontaining stereogenic carbon atoms in their side chains and (<i>S</i>)-(−)-1,1′-bi(2-naphthol) derivatives that\nexhibit axial chirality. Through solvatochromism experiments combined\nwith UV–vis and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, we\nidentified the conditions necessary to induce chiral expression during\nsupramolecular polymer aggregation.