Helical bias in supramolecular polymers accounts for different stabilities of kinetically trapped states

The idea to synthesize and self-assemble nano-graphenes with structural precision into supramolecular polymers is just one of Klaus Müllen's many pioneering contributions the chemical sciences. To honor his impact in field polymer science, we here describe a study that combines experimental computational methods studying stability kinetically trapped states polymers. We show introduction stereocenters sidechains allow helical based on chiral triphenylene-2,6,10-tricarboxamide monomers escape kinetic trap more efficiently than their achiral analogs. Partial depolymerization state by increasing temperature followed polymerization lowering shows either polymerize existing stacks or self-nucleate form thermodynamically stable state. Chiral prefer latter monomers.