Hetero-double-helix formation by an ethynylhelicene oligomer possessing perfluorooctyl side chains.

Monomeric to pentameric (P)-ethynylhelicene oligomers possessing perfluorooctyl side chains were synthesized. The circular dichroism (CD) and vapor pressure osomometry (VPO) studies indicated the formation of a helix-dimer for the (P)-pentamer, for example, in trifluoromethylbenzene at 5 degrees C at concentrations above 2 x 10(-6) M. Compared with a (P)-pentamer possessing decyloxycarbonyl side chains, the perfluorooctyl (P)-pentamer exhibited lower solubilities in organic solvents, formed a thermodynamically more stable helix-dimer, and exhibited a mirror image CD spectrum. The perfluorooctyl (P)-pentamer formed a hetero-helix dimer with a decyloxycarbonyl (M)-pentamer but not with a (P)-pentamer. It indicated higher stability of the hetero-helix dimer over the homo-helix dimers.