Optically active porous hybrid particles constructed by alkynylated cellulose nanocrystals, helical substituted polyacetylene, and inorganic silica for enantio-differentiating towards naproxen.

This article reports on a novel type of ternary chiral porous hybrid particles (TCPHPs) constructed by alkynylated cellulose nanocrystals (A-CNCs), helical substituted polyacetylene, and inorganic silica. The resulting TCPHPs combine the respective advantages of the three components. A-CNCs serve as stabilizer, co-monomer, and chiral source simultaneously and transfer their chirality to the resulting helical substituted polyacetylenes in the course of copolymerization with achiral acetylenic monomer following "sergeants and soldiers rule". Helical substituted polyacetylenes form chiral helical structures and thus endow TCPHPs with the anticipated optical activity. Inorganic silica constitutes the rigid framework and is covalently bonded with the organic components through hydrolysis of Si-O-Et groups. Phase separation between the organic and inorganic components renders TCPHPs with abundant pores. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirm the formation of spherical particles with porous structures. Circular dichroism spectra demonstrate the optical activity of the chiral hybrid particles. The as-prepared TCPHPs exhibit capacity for enantio-differentiating performance towards chiral naproxen.