Columnar lyomesophases formed in hydrocarbon solvents by chiral lipophilic guanosine-alkali metal complexes

The lipophilic guanosine derivative 1 acts as a self-assembled ionophore and, in the presence of alkali metal ions, forms chiral polymeric structures in organic solvents. These polymeric columnar aggregates are comprised of G-quartets held together by alkali metal ions which are located inside the tubular structure; the quartets are surrounded by hydrocarbon chains. In hydrocarbon solvents, these columnar aggregates form lyomesophases of the cholesteric and hexagonal type. Chirality 13:7–12, 2001. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.