Simplest supramolecular helix forms from diethylamine

 Helical strand of the crystal structure of diethylamine

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Diethylamine is the smallest and simplest molecule that forms a supramolecular helix as its lowest energy aggregate

Researchers have unravelled the mystery of the minimal requirements for forming a supramolecular helix and found that diethylamine is the simplest molecule that forms this arrangement as its lowest energy aggregate.