Spontaneous Elliptical Polarization of Racemic Multilayer Polymers and Oligomers

It is well-known that racemic molecules are elliptically inactive. Herein, we found novel racemic multilayer polymers and oligomers that are generated from catalytic polymerization can asymmetrically rotate the plane-polarized circular light to the right-handed direction in THF-H2O cosolvents. The specific rotation depends on the water ratios (fw) of co-solvents and UV-vis radiation time inside polarimeter. The aggregation of polymers and oligomers was proven via AIE (aggregation-induced emission) appeared as they dissolved in THF-H2O co-solvents, which would be responsible for this abnormal phenomenon. This discovery is anticipated to lead to a new research topic in chemical, medical, and materials sciences, and provide an alternative clue to the origin of life on earth in the future.