A versatile method for stabilizing an excess-handed helical polyisocyanide induced and memorized in the polymer backbone has been developed using divalent and trivalent metal ions that can coordinate to the pendant carboxylate residues in the polyisocyanide, thereby forming a noncovalently cross-linked network through intra- and/or intermolecular coordination. Among the metal ions investigated, the lanthanide ions were proved to be the most efficient and remarkably improved the thermal stability of the helical polyisocyanide in solution as well as in a gel.
- Daisuke Taura
- Naomichi Horimoto
- Eiji Yashima
