Abstract
In the history of helicity, DNA is probably the prototypical helical structure. Besides this natural constituent of living cells, this review surveys helical structures based on organophosphorus derivatives. The first section contains phosphahelicenes constituted by asequence of fused aromatic rings which can adopt a nonplanar screw-shaped topology. Helical structures can also arise from propeller-shaped molecules or by a succession of spirocycles illustrated consecutively. The last section reports systems where thehelical arrangement comes from supramolecular organization. In this category fall acid or metal organic frameworks and polymers. The synthesis and different applications, mainly in catalysis, are presented.