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Controllable supramolecular polymerization via a chain-growth mechanism
Deep Sankar Pal1, Haridas Kar, Suhrit Ghosh
1Polymer Science Unit, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A and 2B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India. psusg2@iacs.res.in.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 11, 2018
Summary
Researchers demonstrate controllable supramolecular polymerization (SP) using naphthalene-diimide carboxylic acid. This process exhibits living characteristics and allows for chiral amplification via a "sergeant and soldiers" mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Naphthalene-diimide appended carboxylic acids can exist in different self-assembled states.
- Controlling supramolecular assembly is crucial for developing advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate controllable supramolecular polymerization (SP) of naphthalene-diimide carboxylic acid.
- To explore the kinetics, structure, and living nature of the polymerization process.
- To demonstrate chiral amplification using a chiral seed.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of monomeric (M) and polymeric (P) states of naphthalene-diimide carboxylic acid.
- Sonication to generate seeds (S) for initiating supramolecular polymerization.
- Characterization of polymerization kinetics, mesoscopic structure, and chain extension.
Main Results:
- Achieved controllable supramolecular polymerization (SP) via a chain growth mechanism with first-order kinetics.
- Demonstrated the living nature of SP through multiple chain-extension cycles.
- Observed chiral amplification in achiral monomers initiated by chiral seeds, illustrating the 'sergeant and soldiers' effect.
Conclusions:
- Naphthalene-diimide carboxylic acid enables controllable and living supramolecular polymerization.
- The 'sergeant and soldiers' effect can be utilized for chiral amplification in supramolecular systems.
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