Supramolecular helix of an oligomeric azapeptide building block containing four β-turn structures.

Oligomers of benzoylalanine-based amidothioureas containing four β-turn structures spaced by meta-substituted benzenes were shown to undergo assembly in dilute CH3CN solution into supramolecular helices of enhanced supramolecular helicity, whereas those spaced by para-substituted benzene spacer(s) or those spaced by meta-substituted benzenes but with one or two β-turns exhibit a substantially decreased tendency of assembling.