Scientists build polymers with two distinct molecular faces

Researchers have created a new class of polymers exhibiting chirality-induced spin selectivity exceeding 90% in thin films, with opposite signs for the two enantiomers. These feature rigid, double-stranded backbones bearing two deliberately differentiated molecular faces, achieved through a chirality-assisted synthesis using a specifically designed C2-chiral monomer. The resulting films display circular dichroism intensities over 100-fold stronger than those of their monomeric or non-ladder analogues, demonstrating a platform for emergent self-assemblies and functions in organic polymeric materials. Solid-state films of newly synthesized bifacial ladder polymers exhibit circular dichroism intensities exceeding 100-fold greater than those of comparable monomeric or non-ladder materials, signaling a substantial advancement in chiroptical behavior. The key…