Memorized chiral arrangement of gemini surfactant assemblies in nanometric hybrid organic-silica helices.

Hybrid nanohelices were obtained from silicification of self-assemblies of gemini surfactants with tartrate counterions. The chiral arrangement of these non-chiral gemini surfactants was preserved in the silica matrix even after the counterion exchange for a non-chiral bromide, and was capable of inducing the chiral organisation of a non-chiral dye, methyl orange.