Constructing supramolecular polymers from phototrigger containing monomer

A new type of photo-induced supramolecular polymer was fabricated by host-guest interaction from a phototrigger containing building block. A dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) macrocycle and dibenzylammonium (DBA) site containing linear monomer was designed and synthesized. The coumarin, as a photocleavable protector, was introduced to the terminal of the monomer. When exposed to the UV light, the coumarin unit would be cleavaged and the monomer without terminal coumarin can self-assemble into supramolecular polymers via the host-guest interaction between DB24C8 moieties and DBA units. Increasing the concentration of the monomer, the supramolecular polymers will convert to supramolecular organogel by cross-linking with each other.