 Supramolecular polymers are defined as polymeric arrays of monomeric units that are brought together by reversible and highly directional secondary interactions. Although multiple hydrogen bonding has been widely used to drive supramolecular polymerization, we have demonstrated that host-enhanced charge transfer interactions can be used to construct supramolecular polymers as well. For this purpose, we have designed and synthesized a multifunctional monomer, containing anthracene-viologen-viologen-anthracene, which is able to form multiple host-enhanced charge transfer interactions. This kind of molecular design can avoid the formation of cyclic species and dimerization effectively. As a result, supramolecular polymers are formed simultaneously by mixing the multifunctional monomer with cucurbit[8]uril in water. In addition, we have also shown that the similar concept can be extended to enhance pi-pi interaction and developed a method for supramolecular polymerization on the basis of host-enhanced pi-pi interactions. It is anticipated that these new methods of supramolecular polymerization can be used for fabricating functional supramolecular materials.

Supramolecular polymerization driven by host-enhanced noncovalent interactions

245th National Meeting (2013)

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