Expression of Supramolecular Chirality in Aggregates of Chiral Amide-Containing Surfactants

We can induce or alter supramolecular expression of chirality in the aggregates of a series of chiral amide-containing surfactants (1, R = C(O)C3H7, C6H5; R′ = C11H23, C17H35; X = phosphate, imidazole) by changing the pH or by addition of metal ions. Chirality at a higher level, such as in the formation of helical structures, is found to depend strongly on the head-group organisation of the surfactant molecules.