Ag(+)-induced reverse vesicle to helical fiber transformation in a self-assembly by adjusting the keto-enol equilibrium of a chiral salicylideneaniline.

Abstract

A new chiral amphiphilic salicylideneaniline bearing a terminal pyridine was synthesized. It formed reverse vesicles in toluene. The addition of Ag(+), however, reversibly transforms these reverse vesicles into left-handed nanohelices accompanied by spontaneous gel formation at room temperature.