Triple helix formation in amphiphilic discotics: demystifying solvent effects in supramolecular self-assembly.

A set of chiral, amphiphilic, self-assembling discotic molecules based on the 3,3'-bis(acylamino)-2,2'-bipyridine-substituted benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide motif (BiPy-BTA) was prepared. Amphiphilicity was induced into the discotic molecules by an asymmetrical distribution of alkyl and oligo(ethylene oxide) groups in the periphery of the molecules. Small-angle X-ray scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy measurements were performed on the discotic amphiphiles in mixtures of water and alcohol at temperatures between 0 °C an 90 °C.