Formation of High-Aspect-Ratio Helical Nanorods via Chiral Self-Assembly of Fullerodendrimers.

Two novel, asymmetric methanofullerenes are presented, which self-assemble in cyclohexane upon thermal cycling to 80 °C. We show that, through the introduction of a dipeptide sequence to one terminus of the dendritic methanofullerene, it is possible to transform the assembly behavior of these molecules from poorly formed aggregates to high-aspect-ratio nanorods. These nanorods have diameters of 3.76 ± 0.52 nm and appear to be composed of interwoven helices of dendritic fullerenes. As evidenced by circular dichroism, the helicity is characterized by a preferential handedness of assembly, which is imparted by the dipeptide moiety.