Monosaccharides as Versatile Units for Water‐Soluble Supramolecular Polymers

We introduce monosaccharides as versatile water‐soluble units to compatibilise supramolecular polymers based on the benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA) moiety with water. A library of monosaccharide‐based BTAs is evaluated, varying the length of the alkyl chain (hexyl, octyl, decyl and dodecyl) separating the BTA and saccharide units, as well as the saccharide units (α‐glucose, β‐glucose, α‐mannose and α‐galactose). In all cases, the monosaccharides impart excellent water compatibility. The length of the alkyl chain is the determining factor to obtain either long, one‐dimensional supramolecular polymers (dodecyl spacer), small aggregates (decyl spacer) or molecularly dissolved (octyl and hexyl) BTAs in water. For the BTAs comprising a dodecyl spacer, our results suggest that a cooperative self‐assembly process is operative and that the introduction of different monosaccharides does not significantly change the self‐ assembly behaviour. Finally, we investigate the potential of post‐assembly functionalisation of the formed supramolecular polymers by taking advantage of dynamic covalent bond formation between the monosaccharides and benzoxaboroles. We observe that the supramolecular polymers readily react with a fluorescent benzoxaborole derivative permitting imaging of these dynamic complexes by confocal fluorescence microscopy.     

N-Substituted Benzene-1-Urea-3,5-Biscarboxamide (BUBA): Easily Accessible C2-Symmetric Monomers for the Construction of Reversible and Chirally Amplified Helical Assemblies

Non-C₃-symmetric supramolecular helices are gaining interest for the design of hierarchical assemblies, for the compartmentalisation or the self-assembly of polymer chains and for application in asymmetric catalysis. Herein, N-substituted benzene-1-urea-3,5-biscarboxamide (BUBA) monomers, which consist of one urea and two carbon-connected amide functions linked to an aromatic ring, are introduced as an easily accessible class of C₂-symmetric supramolecular synthons. In apolar solvents, BUBA monomers assemble into long helical assemblies by means of hydrogen-bonding and aromatic interactions, as assessed by several analytical techniques. To probe the influence of the urea function, BUBA and related benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) helical polymers have been compared, in terms of their thermodynamics of formation, stability, reversibility and chiral amplification properties. Similar to BTA, BUBA monomers form long helices reversibly through a highly cooperative mechanism and the helicity of their assemblies is governed by chiral amplification effects. However, precise quantification of their properties reveals that BUBA monomers assemble in a more cooperative manner. Also, chiral amplification operates to a higher extent in BUBA helices, as probed by both sergeants-and-soldiers and majority-rules experiments. Compatibility between urea and amide functions also allows the formation of co-assemblies that incorporate both BUBA and BTA monomers. Importantly, a small amount of chiral BUBA monomers in these co-assemblies is sufficient to obtain single-handed helices; thus paving the way towards the development of functional supramolecular helices.     

Homochiral [2.2]Paracyclophane Self‐Assembly Promoted by Transannular Hydrogen Bonding

[2.2]paracyclophane (pCp), unlike many π‐building blocks, has been virtually unexplored in supramolecular constructs. Reported here is the synthesis and characterization of the first pCp derivatives capable of programmed self‐assembly into extended cofacial π‐stacks in solution and the solid state. The design employs transannular (intramolecular) hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds), hitherto unstudied in pCps, between pseudo‐ortho‐positioned amides of a pCp‐4,7,12,15‐tetracarboxamide (pCpTA) to preorganize the molecules for intermolecular H‐bonding with π‐stacked neighbors. X‐ray crystallography confirms the formation of homochiral, one‐dimensional pCpTA stacks helically laced with two H‐bond strands. The chiral sense is dictated by the planar chirality (R_p or S_p) of the pCpTA monomers. A combination of NMR, IR, and UV/Vis studies confirms the formation of the first supramolecular pCp polymers in solution.     

Photoresponsive Circular Supramolecular Polymers: A Topological Trap and Photoinduced Ring‐Opening Elongation

Topological features of one‐dimensional macromolecular chains govern the properties and functionality of natural and synthetic polymers. To address this issue in supramolecular polymers, we synthesized two topologically distinct supramolecular polymers with intrinsic curvature, circular and helically folded nanofibers, from azobenzene‐functionalized supramolecular rosettes. When a mixture of circular and helically folded nanofibers was exposed to UV light, selective unfolding of the latter open‐ended supramolecular polymers was observed as a result of the curvature‐impairing internal force produced by the trans‐to‐cis photoisomerization of the azobenzene. This distinct sensitivity suggests that the topological features of supramolecular polymers define their mechanical stability. Furthermore, the exposure of circular supramolecular polymers in more polar media to UV irradiation resulted in ring opening followed by chain elongation, thus demonstrating that the circular supramolecular polymer can function as a topological kinetic trap.     

Characterization of supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular polymers are made of monomers that are held together by noncovalent interactions. This is the reason for the wide range of novel properties, such as reversibility and responses to stimuli, exhibited by supramolecular polymers. A range of supramolecular polymerization methods have been developed leading to a number of novel supramolecular materials. However, standard techniques for the characterization of supramolecular polymers have yet to be established. The dynamic nature of supramolecular polymers makes them difficult to be fully characterized using conventional polymer techniques. This tutorial review summarizes various methods for characterizing supramolecular polymers, including theoretical estimation, size exclusion chromatography, viscometry, light scattering, vapor pressure osmometry, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy-based single molecule force spectroscopy. Each of these methods has its own particular advantages and disadvantages. Most of the methods are used to characterize the supramolecular polymer chain itself. However, some of the methods can be used to study the self-assembled state formed by supramolecular polymers. The characterization of a supramolecular polymer cannot be realized with a single method; a convincing conclusion relies on the combination of several different techniques.     

Discordant Supramolecular Fibres Reversibly Depolymerised by Temperature and Light

Synthetic stimuli responsive supramolecular polymers attract increasing interest for their ability to mimic the unique properties of natural assemblies. Here we focus on the well-studied benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) motif, and substitute it with two (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl groups and an azobenzene photoswitch. We demonstrate the UV (λ=365 nm) induced depolymerisation of the helical hydrogen-bonded polymers in methylcyclohexane (MCH) through circular dichroism and UV-vis spectroscopy in dilute solution (15 μm ), and NMR and iPAINT super-resolution microscopy in concentrated solution (300 μm ). The superstructure can be regenerated after thermal depolymerization, whilst repeated depolymerisation can be reversed without degradation by irradiating at λ=455 nm. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the most energetically favourable configuration for these polymers in MCH is a left-handed helical network of hydrogen-bonds between the BTA cores surrounded by two right-handed helices of azobenzenes. The responsiveness to two orthogonal triggers across a broad concentration range holds promise for use in, for example, photo-responsive gelation.     

Supramolecular Copolymerization as a Strategy to Control the Stability of Self‐Assembled Nanofibers

A major challenge in supramolecular polymerization is controlling the stability of the polymers formed, that is, controlling the rate of monomer exchange in the equilibrium between monomer and polymer. The exchange dynamics of supramolecular polymers based on benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide (BTA) can be regulated by copolymerizing molecules with dendronized (dBTA) and linear (nBTA) ethylene glycol‐based water‐soluble side chains. Whereas nBTAs form long nanofibers in water, dBTAs do not polymerize, forming instead small spherical aggregates. The copolymerization of the two BTAs results in long nanofibers. The exchange dynamics of both the BTA monomers in the copolymer are significantly slowed down in the mixed systems, leading to a more stable copolymer, while the morphology and spectroscopic signature of the copolymers are identical to that of nBTA homopolymer. This copolymerization is the supramolecular counterpart of styrene/ maleic anhydride copolymerization.     

Supramolecular isomerism of Cu(I) and 3,5-di-2-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolate via in situ solvothermal ligand reaction: meso-helix and luminescence

The sixth supramolecular isomer of Cu(I) and 3,5-di-2-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolate (2-pytz), [Cu₂(2-pytz)₂] _n (1), via in situ solvothermal ligand reaction, has been synthesized and characterized as a rare meso-helical chain. Complex 1 exhibits high thermal stability (until 400°C) confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and has potential applications as an optical material. This research makes the maximum number of genuine supramolecular isomers with structural characterization, found for coordination polymers, six.     

Small changes with big effects: Tuning polymer properties with supramolecular interactions

For biological polymers like DNA and proteins, supramolecular interactions dictate the folding and assembly of the polymer chains. Advances in synthetic polymer chemistry enable the synthesis of polymers of defined length and composition, but the field has yet to reach the same level of sophistication as nature's polymers. However, the incorporation of just a few supramolecular interactions into a synthetic polymer chain can drastically change the manner in which the polymer assembles and interacts, thereby altering the properties of a polymeric material. This highlight will focus on approaches wherein a low‐density of supramolecular functionalities (<10 wt %) were used per polymer chain. How the selection of the appropriate supramolecular functionality (based on the directionality and strength of the interaction), along with the location of these groups on a polymer chain, can afford a spectrum of material properties has been highlighted. At one end, the supramolecular motif can dramatically alter the elasticity of a material, and at the other, the motif can have a more subtle effect like increasing the stability of a micelle. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 457–472     

Thioamides: Versatile Bonds To Induce Directional and Cooperative Hydrogen Bonding in Supramolecular Polymers

The amide bond is a versatile functional group and its directional hydrogen‐bonding capabilities are widely applied in, for example, supramolecular chemistry. The potential of the thioamide bond, in contrast, is virtually unexplored as a structuring moiety in hydrogen‐bonding‐based self‐assembling systems. We report herein the synthesis and characterisation of a new self‐assembling motif comprising thioamides to induce directional hydrogen bonding. N,N′,N′′‐Trialkylbenzene‐1,3,5‐tris(carbothioamide)s (thioBTAs) with either achiral or chiral side‐chains have been readily obtained by treating their amide‐based precursors with P₂S₅. The thioBTAs showed thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour and a columnar mesophase was assigned. IR spectroscopy revealed that strong, three‐fold, intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions stabilise the columnar structures. In apolar alkane solutions, thioBTAs self‐assemble into one‐dimensional, helical supramolecular polymers stabilised by three‐fold hydrogen bonding. Concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent self‐assembly studies performed by using a combination of UV and CD spectroscopy demonstrated a cooperative supramolecular polymerisation mechanism and a strong amplification of supramolecular chirality. The high dipole moment of the thioamide bond in combination with the anisotropic shape of the resulting cylindrical aggregate gives rise to sufficiently strong depolarised light scattering to enable depolarised dynamic light scattering (DDLS) experiments in dilute alkane solution. The rotational and translational diffusion coefficients, D_trans and D_rot, were obtained from the DDLS measurements, and the average length, L, and diameter, d, of the thioBTA aggregates were derived (L=490 nm and d=3.6 nm). These measured values are in good agreement with the value L_w=755 nm obtained from fitting the temperature‐dependent CD data by using a recently developed equilibrium model. This experimental verification validates our common practice for determining the length of BTA‐based supramolecular polymers from model fits to experimental CD data. The ability of thioamides to induce cooperative supramolecular polymerisation makes them effective and broadly applicable in supramolecular chemistry.     

A new soft-matter material with old chemistry: Passerini multicomponent polymerization-induced assembly of AIE-active double-helical polymers with rapid visible-light degradability

Mimicking the superstructures and functions of natural chiral materials is beneficial to understand specific biological activities in living organisms and broaden applications in the fields of chemistry and materials sciences. However, it is still a great challenge to construct water-soluble, double-helical polymers with multiple responsiveness. Herein, we report for the first time a straightforward, general strategy to address this issue by taking advantage of Passerini multicomponent polymerization-induced assembly (PMPIA). The polymerization-induced generation of supramolecular interactions in chiral α-acyloxy amides drives the assembly of polymers and improves their stability in various solvents. This double-helical polymer is sensitive to metal ions, temperature, pH, and solvents, making both the superstructure and the AIE effect reversibly adjustable. Meanwhile, the hydrogen-bonding-assisted cyclization of photolabile α-acyloxy amides accelerates the degradation of helical polymers under visible-light irradiation. It is anticipated that this novel PMPIA strategy opens new horizons to inspire the design of advanced chiral/helical polymers with multiple functions.

Passerini multicomponent polymerization-induced assembly is reported to design a water-soluble, AIE-active, double-helical polymer with reversible multi-responsiveness to external stimuli and rapid visible-light degradability.     

Supramolecular polymers based on cyclodextrins

Two types of supramolecular polymers based on cyclodextrins were prepared. One was a host–guest type, and the other was a polyrotaxane type. When a guest part was covalently attached to cyclodextrin, they formed supramolecular dimers, a cyclic daisy chain, supramolecular oligomers, and polymers. t-Boc-cinnamamide-α-cyclodextrin was found to form chiral supramolecular polymers in aqueous solutions. Supramolecular poly[2]rotaxane polymers and supramolecular α,β-cyclodextrin copolymers were obtained. Polyrotaxanes containing β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin were prepared. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5113–5119, 2006     

Chiral Aggregates of Triphenylamine‐Based Dyes for Depleting the Production of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Photochemical Water‐Splitting Process

Recent studies on water‐splitting photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) have demonstrated the intriguing possibility of controlling the spin state in this chemical reaction to form H₂ and O₂ by exploiting the chirality of organic π‐conjugated supramolecular polymers. Although this fascinating phenomenon has been disclosed, the chiral supramolecular materials reported thus far are not optimized for acting as efficient photosensitizer for dye‐sensitized PECs. In this work we report on the design, synthesis, and characterization of chiral supramolecular aggregates based on C₃‐symmetric triphenylamine‐based dyes that are able to both absorb visible light and control the spin state of the process. Variable temperature‐dependent spectroscopic measurements reveal the assembly process of the dyes and confirm the formation of chiral aggregates, both in solution as well as on solid supports. Photoelectrochemical measurements on TiO₂‐based anodes validate the advantage of using chiral supramolecular aggregates as photosensitizer displaying higher photocurrent compared to achiral analogues. Moreover, fluorimetric tests for the quantification of the hydrogen peroxide produced, confirm the possibility of controlling the spin of the reaction exerting spin‐selection with chiral supramolecular polymers. These results represent a further step towards the next‐generation of organic‐based water‐splitting solar cells.     

Molecular Recognition Directed Self-Assembly of Supramolecular Architectures

This paper reviews some of our research on three classes of supra-molecular architectures which are generated via various combinations of molecular, macromolecular, and supramolecular chemistry. The ability of these supramolecular architectures to form liquid crystalline phases is determined by the shape of the self-assembled architecture and will be used to visualize it via various characterization techniques. The molecular design of selected examples of structural units containing taper-shaped exo-receptors and crown ether, oligooxyethylenic, and H-bonding based endo-receptors which self-assemble into cylindrical channel-like architectures via principles resembling those of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), of macrocyclics which self-assemble into supramolecular rigid “rodlike” architectures and of hyperbranched polymers which self-assemble.into a willowlike architecture will be discussed. In the case of TMV-like supramolecular architectures, a comparison between various supramolecular(generated via H-bonding, ionic, and electrostatic interactions) and molecular “polymer backbones” will be made. The present state of the art of the engineering of these supramolecular architectures and some possible novel material functions derived from them will be briefly mentioned.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Electrochemical Properties of Isotruxene–Polyaniline Hybrid Systems

The synthesis, structural characterization, and electrochemical properties of a series of isotruxene–polyaniline (PANI ) hybrid systems (SITPs , SITAs , and CITs ) are reported. The syntheses were performed by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of isotruxene additives ITP and/or ITA at specific aniline‐to‐additive molar ratios. The polymers SITPs and SITAs display granular morphology, but for the polymers CITs a spherical morphology with a diameter of 300–500 nm is found. These hybrid systems display electrochemical capacitive performance superior to those of the parent PANI prepared under the same condition (e.g., 385–463 vs. 181 F/g at 3 mA /cm² current density during charge–discharge test). Molecular (star‐shaped or hyperbranched vs. linear topology) and supramolecular (isotruxene–PANI π–π and cation–π interactions) models in accounting for the observed morphology and electrochemical properties are provided.     

Scalable synthesis of an architectural library of well‐defined poly(acrylic acid) derivatives: Role of structure on dispersant performance

The synthesis and systematic comparison of a comprehensive library of well‐defined polymer architectures based on poly(acrylic acid) is reported. Through the development of new synthetic methodologies, linear, single branched, precision‐branched comb, and star polymers were prepared and their performance as dispersants was evaluated. The ability to accurately control chain lengths and branch points allows the subtle interplay between structure and dispersant performance to be defined and affords critical insights into the design of improved polymeric additives for coating formulations. The general industrial relevance of ionic polymers and branched macromolecular architectures supports these design rules for a wide range of other applications and materials, including as additives for personal care products and in water treatment. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 716–725     

Temperature-dependent modulation by biaryl-based monomers of the chain length and morphology of biphenyl-based supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular copolymerizations offer attractive options to introduce structural and functional diversity in supramolecular polymer materials. Yet, general principles and structure–property relationships for rational comonomer design remain lacking. Here, we report on the supramolecular (co)aggregation of a phenylpyridine and bipyridine derivative of a recently reported biphenyl tetracarboxamide-based monomer. We show that both arylpyridines are poor monomers for supramolecular homopolymerizations. However, the two arylpyridines efficiently influence supramolecular polymers of a biphenyl-based polymer. The phenylpyridine derivatives primarily sequestrate biphenyl monomers, while the bipyridine intercalates into the polymers at high temperatures. Thereby, these two poorly homopolymerizing monomers allow for a fine control over the length of the biphenyl-based supramolecular polymers. As such, our results highlight the potential to control the structure and morphology of supramolecular polymers by tailoring the electronic properties of additives.

Supramolecular copolymerizations offer attractive options to introduce structural and functional diversity in supramolecular polymer materials.     

超分子聚合机理

与共价键聚合物由单体(M1)通过共价键连接不同,超分子聚合物是由单体(M2)通过非共价键连接而成的长链大分子。聚合包括分子聚合和超分子聚合。超分子聚合描述M2通过非共价键自组装形成超分子聚合物的过程,涉及氢键、π-π堆砌型和立体匹配等驱动力以及分子识别、协同性等特征,与M1通过共价键形成聚合物的过程(分子聚合)不同。为了理解超分子聚合物链结构形成机理,本文分析和讨论超分子聚合的三个主要机理:(1)线性链生长;(2)螺旋链生长;(3)拓扑链生长。     

High-pressure synthesis and properties of aliphatic–aromatic polyimides via nylon-salt-type monomers derived from aliphatic diamines and benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid

Aliphatic polyimides (P-XBTA) having inherent viscosities of 0.4–1.4 dL/g were readily synthesized by the high-pressure polycondensation of the salt monomers, composed of aliphatic diamines having various methylene chain lengths (X = 4–12) and 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid (BTA), under 200–250 MPa at 200–320°C. The salt monomers with odd-numbered methylene units were found to be more susceptible to crosslinking than those containing even-numbered methylene chains. The polyimides having even-numbered methylene units were highly crystalline, whereas those with odd-numbered methylene chains were crosslinked and therefore amorphous with only one exception, i.e., P-11BTA. The thermal behavior of these polymers was also studied. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 39–47, 1998     

Effectiveness of cell adhesive additives in different supramolecular polymers

Supramolecular motifs in elastomeric biomaterials facilitate the modular incorporation of additives with corresponding motifs. The influence of the elastomeric supramolecular base polymer on the presentation of additives has been sparsely examined, limiting the knowledge of transferability of effective functionalization between polymers. Here it was investigated if the polymer backbone and the additive influence biomaterial modification in two different types of hydrogen bonding supramolecular systems, that is, based on ureido-pyrimidinone or bis-urea units. Two different cell-adhesive additives, that is, catechol or cyclic RGD, were incorporated into different elastomeric polymers, that is, polycaprolactone, priplast or polycarbonate. The additive effectiveness was evaluated with three different cell types. AFM measurements showed modest alterations on nano-scale assembly in ureido-pyrimidinone materials modified with additives. On the contrary, additive addition was highly intrusive in bis-urea materials. Detailed cell adhesive studies revealed additive effectiveness varied between base polymers and the supramolecular platform, with bis-urea materials more potently affecting cell behavior. This research highlights that additive transposition might not always be as evident. Therefore, additive effectiveness requires re-evaluation in supramolecular biomaterials when altering the polymer backbone to suit the biomaterial application.