Reversible formation of self-assembly gels containing giant vesicles in trifluoromethylbenzene using oxymethylenehelicene oligomers with terminal C₁₆ alkyl groups

A 1:1 mixture of pseudoenantiomeric oxymethylenehelicene (P)-pentamer and (M)-hexamer with terminal C₁₆ alkyl groups in trifluoromethylbenzene formed hetero-double-helices and their self-assembly gels. The gels contained giant vesicles with concentric structures possessing an average diameter in the range of 2030 ¯m, and the introduction of the C₁₆ alkyl groups on the oligomers was essential for their formation. Heating and cooling reversibly decomposed and formed the gel containing giant vesicles in the nonpolar organic solvent, thereby showing thermal hysteresis.