Aggregation and columnar assembly of crescent oligoamides.

The aggregation and assembly of crescent oligoamides with two to six benzene residues are investigated. In chloroform, the pentamer and hexamer are found to associate into large aggregates. In the solid state, all oligomers examined associate into columnar assemblies via stacking interactions, as shown by X-ray diffraction data from single crystals and powder samples. The columnar assemblies of the pentamer and hexamer should contain hydrophilic channels defined by the constituent oligomers.