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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water
Published on: August 2, 2012
Structure and Dynamics of Supramolecular Polymers: Wait and See
Sandra M C Schoenmakers1, A J H Spiering1, Svenja Herziger2,3
1Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Chiral deuterium labeling in benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) supramolecular polymers reveals time-dependent changes in helical structure and dynamics. Isotopic chirality unveils increased order and decreased dynamics over weeks.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Polymer science
- Isotope chemistry
Background:
- Stereogenic centers in supramolecular building blocks can influence structure and dynamics.
- Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) forms supramolecular polymers in water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of isotopic chirality on the time-dependent properties of BTA supramolecular polymers.
- To unveil subtle changes in supramolecular structure and dynamics over time using deuterium labeling.
Main Methods:
- Introduction of three deuterium-based stereogenic centers into BTA side chains.
- Comparative analysis of chiral and achiral BTA polymers using three distinct techniques.
- Characterization of polymer properties at 1 day and 4 weeks post-assembly.
Main Results:
- Chiral BTA polymers exhibited increased helical preference over time.
- A decrease in helical pitch and monomer exchange dynamics was observed.
- Time-dependent changes in order and packing were detected, contrasting with achiral counterparts.
Conclusions:
- Isotopic chirality is crucial for observing time-dependent self-assembly and property evolution in supramolecular polymers.
- Supramolecular polymers require time to achieve maximal helical bias and ordered packing.
- The study highlights the importance of temporal dynamics in supramolecular systems, often overlooked without chiral probes.
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