Helical structure stabilization of functionalized meta-ethynylpyridine polymers and oligomers

We have developed poly- and oligo(2,6-pyridylene ethynylene)s, called as "Meto-ethynylpyri-dine polymersloligomers", consisted of pyridine rings linked with acetylene bonds at the 2,6 -positions. These foldamers are able to bind with saccharides by multipoint hydrogen bonding to form helical complexes. For further application of the helices, stabilization of the helicity is required. Herein we describe, roughly divided, three types of strategy to stabilize the helical structures. Those are (1) applying intramolecular glycoside templates, (2) coordinating between pitches from outside or inside of the helix, and (3) utilization of new pyridine-phenol alternating architecture to efficiently stabilize cisoid conformation. Interesting behavior of the stabilized helices was reported, in terms of chiral memory, strong saccharide recognition, and so on.