Construction of a pillar[5]arene-based linear supramolecular polymer and a photo-responsive supramolecular network†
Jie Yang,Zhengtao Li,Yujuan Zhou,Guocan Yu
Polymer Chemistry Pub Date : 08/19/2014 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/C4PY01042F
Abstract

A linear supramolecular polymer has been constructed from self-assembly of two complementary homoditopic monomers, an azobenzene-bridged pillar[5]arene dimer and a bisammonium salt, at high concentration based on the pillar[5]arene/secondary ammonium salt molecular recognition motif. This supramolecular polymer exhibited photo and pH dual-responsiveness. Polymer–oligomer and polymer–monomer transitions were reversibly regulated by UV/vis light irradiation and changing the solution pH, respectively. Furthermore, a photo-responsive supramolecular crosslinked liquid-crystalline polymer network based on the host–guest interactions between the azobenzene-bridged pillar[5]arene dimer and a secondary ammonium salt-functionalized poly(methyl acrylate) was fabricated.

Graphical abstract: Construction of a pillar[5]arene-based linear supramolecular polymer and a photo-responsive supramolecular network