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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Multi-mode supermolecular polymerization driven by host-guest interactions
Dongdong Chang1, Dan Han1, Wenhao Yan1
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology Shanghai 200237 PR China zoulei@ecust.edu.cn +86 21 64252288 +86 21 64252758.
Abstract:
A novel supermolecular self-assembly based on ternary host-guest interaction between cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium dication (MV) and coumarin derivative was applied for the construction of linear supramolecular polymer with high degree of polymerization in aqueous solution. Accompanied by the introduction of azobenzene on linear ABBA type monomer the supermolecular polymerization is different and the morphology changes from linear to dendritic polymer. The successful supramolecular polymerization of linear and dendritic supramolecular polymers by non-covalent host-guest molecular recognition was confirmed by various characterization methods, such as 1H NMR spectroscopy, ROESY, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. Meanwhile, the supramolecular polymerization could promote the conversion of the azobenzene from cis to trans, which ultimately results in no isomerism upon UV irradiation.
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