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Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Controlled Formation of a Main Chain Supramolecular Polymer Based on Metal-Ligand Interactions and a Thiol-Ene Click
Feiyi Chen1, Yu-Kui Tian1, Yulan Chen1
1Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300354, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Supramolecular polymers with multiple functionalities and hierarchical structures have received considerable attention and become a hot research topic over the past years. Herein, a main-chain supramolecular polymer has been successfully fabricated by using metal-ligand interactions and a thiol-ene click reaction. 1 H NMR, UV/Vis, DOSY, and viscosity measurements were carried out to investigate the molecular recognition and the process of supramolecular polymerization. From the study, the orthogonality between thiol-ene click reactions and the terpyridine-metal ions complexation behavior was testified, and supramolecular polymeric assemblies could be constructed by a one pot method. In the meantime, due to the incorporation of metal-ligand interactions, the supramolecular polymer shows stimuli-responsive properties toward chemical stimuli. Hence, this work could provide a methodology for developing supramolecular polymers as smart materials.
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