Columnar lyomesophases formed in hydrocarbon solvents by chiral lipophilicguanosine-alkali metal complexes

The lipophilic guanosine derivative 1 acts as a self-assembled ionophore an d, in the presence of alkali metal ions, forms chiral polymeric structures in organic solvents, These polymeric columnar aggregates are comprised of G -quartets held together by alkali metal ions which are located inside the t ubular structure; the quartets are surrounded by hydrocarbon chains. In hyd rocarbon solvents, these columnar ag gregates form lyomesophases of the cho lesteric and hexagonal type. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.