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.