The racemic as well as optically active dilactams 1 and 2 were prepare
d as the first representatives of axially chiral dilactams possessing
a biaryl axis as the sole element of chirality. Their absolute configu
rations and inversion barriers were determined. The molecular structur
e and supramolecular self-assembly of the racemic dilactams directed b
y hydrogen bonding and aryl-aryl stacking was elucidated by single cry
stal diffraction analysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r
eserved.