The synthesis is described of the first helical ladder polymers with u
nbroken pathways of conjugation that extend not only through each mono
meric unit, but between them as well. The key step is the condensation
of 1,2-phenylenediamine and a transition metal salt with a helicene h
aving salicylaldehyde's functionality at both ends. This gives rise to
''metal salophen'' units that bind adjacent helicenes, provide conjug
ated links from one ring system to the next, and constrain the p-orbit
als of the rings they unite to be nearly parallel. Because the helicen
e monomers are enantiopure, so too are the polymeric structures to whi
ch they give rise. One of the polymers (6) winds continuously in only
one direction. Another (4a) winds in one direction through the helicen
e moieties and in the other direction through the metal-salophens. The
circular dichroisms of the former at wavelengths near 600 nm are nota
bly large. The corresponding circular dichroisms of the latter are muc
h smaller. MALDI-TOF mass spectra provide particularly strong evidence
for the structures assigned. The polymers are very soluble in a varie
ty of organic solvents and seem to have number average molecular weigh
ts of ca. 7000.