Synthesis and Controllable Self-Assembly of a Novel Coronene Bisimide Amphiphile

The synthesis of an amphiphilic coronene bisimide (Amph-CBI) and its self-assembly in THF/water through pi-pi stacking and solvophobic interactions are reported. Spectroscopic and microscopic studies revealed a bilayer like self-assembly of the coronene amphiphile to different kinds of one-dimensional nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nanotapes, which can be controlled by solvent composition.