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Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Wavy supramolecular polymers formed by hydrogen-bonded rosettes
Kenta Tamaki1, Takumi Aizawa1, Shiki Yagai2
1Division of Advanced Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
Abstract:
A barbiturate-functionalized supramolecular monomer bearing an ester-linked biphenyl and azobenzene π-conjugated core affords wavy supramolecular polymers. The periodic inversion of curvature is due to the conformational rigidity of the monomer and repulsive interactions between rosettes. Photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety increases the fragility of the main chain without deteriorating its periodic structure.
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