Self-Assembled Calixarene Derivative as a Supramolecular Polymer

The recent progress of synergistic supramolecular polymers: preparation, properties and applications

Interactions for forming supramolecular polymers were reviewed together with their unique properties and applications with detailed examples.

Stimuli-Responsive Internally Ion-Paired Supramolecular Polymer Based on a Bis-pillar[5]arene Dicarboxylic Acid Monomer

A novel bis-pillar[5]arene dicarboxylic acid self-assembles in the presence of 1,12-diaminododecane to yield overall neutral, internally ion-paired supramolecular polymers. Their aggregation, binding mode, and morphology can be tuned by external stimuli such as solvent polarity, concentration, and base treatment.

A novel long-alkyl-chained acylhydrazone-based supramolecular polymer gel for the ultrasensitive detection and separation of multianalytes

By rationally introducing multi-self-assembly driving forces and coordination binding sites into the same molecule, a designed functional gelator, G, was synthesized. Next, a novel supramolecular polymer material, OGV (1% DMSO), was constructed and used for the ultrasensitive detection and separation of multianalytes in gel states. Interestingly, OGV showed a fluorescent ultrasensitive response for the Hg2+ and Fe3+ ions in water. Moreover, by introducing these metal ions into the OGV, stable metal ion-coordinated supramolecular metallogels (HgG and FeG) were formed, which could sense CN- and H2PO4- in water with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Self-sorting assembly of a calixarene/crown ether polypseudorotaxane gated by ion-pairing

A polypseudorotaxane composed of a calix[5]arene-diammonium supramolecular polymer and dibenzo-24-crown-8 wheels self-assembles only in the presence of superweak counterions

Bowl-shaped fluorescent liquid crystals derived from 4-tert butyl calix[4]arene and trans cinnamic acid derivatives

A new family of bowl-shaped molecules with a calix[4]arene rigid core appended by four-side and two-side substitution with trans 4-n-alkoxy cinnamic acid has been synthesized and well characterized.

Interpenetrating Polymer Network Microgels in Water: Effect of Composition on the Structural Properties and Electrosteric Interactions

Microgels of cross-linked interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are very versatile systems combining the properties of colloids and polymers. Herein we study IPN microgels composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) to understand how weight composition and reactant concentrations affect their structural, conformational and electrosteric properties in water. The results show that it is possible to drive the formation of microgels with the desired properties by adjusting IPN composition and preparation method during the synthesis. During synthesis, the polymerization of acrylic acid triggers the merging among IPNs via covalent linking, giving rise to microgels with larger mass and size, the effect being larger for higher concentration of the reactants. In addition, a close relation between the microgel internal conformation and the colloidal stability is observed, due to the presence of screened groups inside the microgel.

Columnar self-assembly of bowl shaped fluorescent liquid crystals based on calix[4]arene with Schiff base units

A new family of bowl-shaped molecules with a calix[4]arene rigid core and appended on four-sides, that display a wide range of hexagonal columnar phases, has been synthesised and well characterized.

Ring/Chain Morphology Control in Overall-Neutral, Internally Ion-Paired Supramolecular Polymers

The self-assembly of internally ion-paired, neutral AA/BB-type supramolecular polymers composed of complementary di-ionizable homoditopic pairs of monomers is reported. Host-to-guest double-proton transfer mediates the recognition between bis-calix[5]arenedicarboxylic acids and α,ω-diaminoalkanes to yield cyclic, doughnut-shaped assemblies with morphologies (i.e., cyclic vs. linear) that can be controlled by means of external chemical stimuli. The behavior of these intriguing aggregates, both in solution and on surfaces, has been investigated by a combination of ¹ H and DOSY NMR spectroscopy, light-scattering, and atomic force microscopy.

Construction of stimuli-responsive supramolecular gel via bispillar[5]arene-based multiple interactions

A linear supramolecular polymer has been constructed from host–guest recognition. Furthermore, the linear supramolecular polymer could self-assemble to form a supramolecular gel at high concentration, which exhibited external stimuli-responsiveness.

Redox controlled reversible transformation of a supramolecular alternating copolymer to a radical cation containing homo-polymer

Viologen-tryptophan ternary complexation inside CB[8] is used to prepare a supramolecular polymer which show redox controlled transformation from homo polymer to hetero polymer.

Synthesis of calixarene–polyglycerol conjugates and their self-assembly toward nano and microtubes

The molecular self-assembly of new hyperbranched polymers and copolymers consisting of polyglycerol and citric acid with a calixarene core results in nano and microtubes with the ability of loading of curcumin as an anticancer drug.

Self-healing polymer materials constructed by macrocycle-based host-guest interactions

Self-healing polymers, which can spontaneously recover themselves after being ruptured, result in enhanced lifetimes for materials and open up a fascinating direction in material science. Macrocycle-based host-guest interactions, one of the most crucial non-covalent interactions, play a key role in self-healing material fabrication. This review aims to highlight the very recent and important progress made in the area of self-healing polymer materials by focusing on cyclodextrins (CDs), crown ethers, cucurbit[n]urils (CBs), calix[n]arenes and pillar[n]arenes with special guest groups and tailored structures. In addition, we also propose future research directions and hope that this review can in a way reflect the current situation and future trends in this developing area.