An Optically Active Hydrogel Composed of Cross-linked Poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) with a Macromolecular Helicity Memory

Hydrogels composed of a poly(phenyl isocyanide) bearing a carboxylate group with a macromolecular helicity memory were synthesized by cross-linking with achiral diamines in water, and the obtained hydrogels were found to maintain their memory even at 90 °C in water, although the helical polymer before the cross-linking lost its memory at high temperature.