Designer supramolecular polymers with specific molecular recognitions

Abstract

Supramolecular polymers are members of an emergent class of polymer materials that exhibit designability and flexibility. This article describes how supramolecular polymers can be synthesized by taking advantage of our host–guest structures based on a calix[5]arene, a bisporphyrin, and a self-assembled capsule. Linear and two-dimensional fullerene nanostructures can be fabricated using the designed monomer structures. The porphyrin donor–acceptor interaction directs the supramolecular polymerization, resulting in linear porphyrin polymers that behave similarly to a conventional polymer chain in solution, even though their structures are dynamic and time-averaged. The fragile supramolecular polymer chains are cross-linked to fabricate a robust self-standing film. The sequence reorganization of the supramolecular homopolymer is established by competitive ditopic guest complexation. The sequence-controlled terpolymer is fabricated via self-sorting behavior. The postmodifications of the supramolecular polymer chains, as well as the polymer chains themselves, are achieved by grafting and non-covalent cross-linking to regulate the macroscopic properties and structures of the polymer main chains. These uniquely organized polymers are fabricated on a nanoscale.