The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Developing materials capable of dynamic chirality switching in response to external stimuli remains a significant challenge in supramolecular chemistry. We address this by introducing a robust 2D supramolecular system that achieves reversible chirality inversion through pH modulation. Our design utilizes tetraphenylethylene derivatives with axial chirality, coupled with proline residues as responsive switching units. We demonstrate that the protonation state of the pyrrolidine nitrogen dictates conformational preferences, forcing reorientation that inverts the TPE core's axial chirality. These findings establish a new pathway for engineering switchable chiral materials, with significant potential for smart surfaces and tunable enantioselective catalysts.