A methodology
for producing dual structural systems of macromolecules,
which involves flipping the unsymmetrical aromatic rings on the main
chain is presented. Previously, we reported a non-natural polypeptide
containing an aromatic ring on the peptide backbone, called a poly
“arylopeptide”. Herein, we used 2,6-naphthalene
rings as axially unsymmetrical spacers, which has two geometrical
isomers, anti and syn, to create
dual structural properties. The miniscule energy difference between
the two geometrical isomers can be amplified by incorporating the
2,6-naphthylene units into the polypeptide backbone, which creates
a thermodynamic driving force for the formation of two specific global
structures (i.e., 31-helix or 41-helix) biased
toward one side geometrical isomer depending on the side chain. Additionally,
the 31-helix can be switched to the 41-helix
upon addition of a small amount of additives, indicating a conformational
conversion from an identical sequence. The developmental dual helical
systems exploit basic molecular geometry and can serve as a design
platform for synthetic polymers.