Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Property of a Series of Supramolecular Polymers Based on Novel 3,5-Dimethyl- 2,6-bis(3-(pyrid-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolyl)pyridine Ligand

Solvothermal reactions of 3,5-dimethyl-2,6-bis（3-（pyrid-2-yl）-1,2,4-triazolyl） pyridine （L）, 1,4-benzendicarboxylic acid （H2bdc）, and transitional metal cations of M11 （M = Mn, Co, Cd） in the presence of oxalic acid （H2ox） afford three novel supramolecular polymers （CPs）, namely, {[M2（ox）（L）2][bdc][M2（Hox）2（OH）（H2O）4]·3H2O}n （M = Mn for 1, Co for 2, Cd for 3）. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that complexes 1-3 are isostructural and the 3D supramolecular structure was connected through non-covalent interactions. With the help of H2ox, the L ligands cheated with center atoms forming a butterfly [M2（ox）（L）2]2＋ building block. The bdc2- ligand linked with the unprecedented [M2（Hox）2（OH）2（H2O）4] units through strong O-H...O hydrogen bonds forming a zigzag chain, which are further connected through π-π interactions between L and bdc2- ligands to form a 3D supramolecular structure. Moreover, elemental analyses, IR, thermogravimetric, PXRD and luminescence have been investigated.

AIE interfacial supramolecular polymers

High monomer concentration is a requisite for engendering the aggregation-induced emssion(AIE)phenomenon as well as the formation of supramolecular polymers.Therefore,this is supposed to ensure the generation of AIE supramolecular polymers,wherein the monomer soluability takes effect.Nevertheless,parts of supramolecular monomers are considered as poessessing different soluability towards the same sovlent,through which the polymerzation process is thus hard to proceed.Interfacial polymerzation gets over the soluabilty restriction,providing a facile method for propelling the reaction of thesemonomers.Herein,we had prepared M1 containing tetraphenylethene(TPE)functionalized with two terpyridine derivatives,then making M1 dissolving in CHCl3 to give solutions.Cu^(2+)solutions were fabricated through dissolving CuCl_(2)into H2O.Towards mixing those solutions,AIE interfacial supramolecular polymers(AIEISPs)displaying green fluorescence were generated at the interface of two phases on the basis of metal-coordination between terpyridine and Cu^(2+).These AIEISPs were certificated to possess the stimuli-responsiveness,for which the excessive addition of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide would cause the structure destruction owing to the stronger bonding ability with Cu^(2+)than that of terpyridine.These fabricated AIEISPs had provided a new avenue to prepare AIE supramolecular polymers.

The New Methods for Characterization of Molecular Weight of Supramolecular Polymers

Supramolecular polymers,as a type of dynamic polymers,are subordinate to the interdisciplinary field of polymer chemistry and supramolecular chemistry,whose development has greatly promoted the prosperity of new materials.Notably,molecular weight is one of the most important parameters of supramolecular polymers,which affects the physical/chemical properties and processing applications of materials.Developing new methods for characterizing the molecular weight of supramolecular polymers is crucial for advancing the development of supramolecular polymers.In this review,we elaborate and summarize three strategies for characterizing the molecular weight of supramolecular polymers that recently reported by our research group according to the characteristics of supramolecular polymers,including(1)the molecular weight distinction corresponding to variable fluorescence colors,(2)matching different molecular weights with different fluorescence lifetime,(3)transforming supramolecular polymers into mechanically interlocked polymers or covalent polymers.Besides,we also discuss the limitations of current methods for characterizing supramolecular polymers.We hope that this review can promote the development of supramolecular polymers and significantly inspire to exploit new methods to characterizing molecular weight of supramolecular polymers.

Cation-π and electrostatic interactions co-driven assembly of two-dimensional heteropore supramolecular polymers with rapid iodine capture capability

Constructing two-dimensional(2D)supramolecular polymers with complicated hierarchical porosity significantly contributes to developing effective strategies to control delicate self-assembly architectures,thus facilitating the fabrication of advanced 2D organic functional materials.Here,we report utilizing cooperative cation-πand electrostatic interactions to construct a series of robust 2D heteropore supramolecular polymers(2D HPSPs)with hierarchical pore structures,in which hexagonal and rectangular pores are alternately and periodically arranged,and the pore sizes can be finely tuned.Remarkably,the as-prepared 2D HPSPs exhibit excellent iodine(I_(2))capture rate(a maximum K80%value is 2.25 g h^(-1)),and present a novel mechanism involving transport-adsorption spatiotemporal separation for rapid I_(2)capture.In this mechanism,the transport of free I_(2)is first conducted in large hexagonal pores,and then I_(2)can be preferentially adsorbed in small rectangular pores,thereby preventing the transfer channels from blocking and greatly improving the adsorption kinetics.

Supramolecular polymer-based gel fracturing fluid with a double network applied in ultra-deep hydraulic fracturing

A gel based on polyacrylamide,exhibiting delayed crosslinking characteristics,emerges as the preferred solution for mitigating degradation under conditions of high temperature and extended shear in ultralong wellbores.High viscosity/viscoelasticity of the fracturing fluid was required to maintain excellent proppant suspension properties before gelling.Taking into account both the cost and the potential damage to reservoirs,polymers with lower concentrations and molecular weights are generally preferred.In this work,the supramolecular action was integrated into the polymer,resulting in significant increases in the viscosity and viscoelasticity of the synthesized supramolecular polymer system.The double network gel,which is formed by the combination of the supramolecular polymer system and a small quantity of Zr-crosslinker,effectively resists temperature while minimizing permeability damage to the reservoir.The results indicate that the supramolecular polymer system with a molecular weight of(268—380)×10^(4)g/mol can achieve the same viscosity and viscoelasticity at 0.4 wt%due to the supramolecular interaction between polymers,compared to the 0.6 wt%traditional polymer(hydrolyzed polyacrylamide,molecular weight of 1078×10^(4)g/mol).The supramolecular polymer system possessed excellent proppant suspension properties with a 0.55 cm/min sedimentation rate at 0.4 wt%,whereas the0.6 wt%traditional polymer had a rate of 0.57 cm/min.In comparison to the traditional gel with a Zrcrosslinker concentration of 0.6 wt%and an elastic modulus of 7.77 Pa,the double network gel with a higher elastic modulus(9.00 Pa)could be formed only at 0.1 wt%Zr-crosslinker,which greatly reduced the amount of residue of the fluid after gel-breaking.The viscosity of the double network gel was66 m Pa s after 2 h shearing,whereas the traditional gel only reached 27 m Pa s.

Water-soluble supramolecular polymers constructed by macrocycle-based host-guest interactions

Supramolecular polymers, which combined of the supramolecular chemistry and polymer science, are constructed from monomers together by reversible noncovalent interactions. Supramolecular polymers in aqueous solution are especially important due to their superior biocompatibility and environmental adaptation, which determined they have wide applications in various areas, such as drug delivery, selfhealing, shape memory. Macrocyclic compounds, such as cyclodextrins, calixarenes, cucurbiturils and pillar[n]arenes, are the most used building blocks in the preparation of supramolecular polymers.Macrocycle-based supramolecular polymers, which introduce the host-guest interaction in the system,endow these polymers with interesting and smart physical-chemical properties. In this review, we summarized recent studies about supramolecular polymers in aqueous solution based on macrocyclic compounds.

Modulating the properties of quadruple hydrogen bonded supramolecular polymers by photo-cross-linking between the coumarin moieties

Novel linear supramolecular polymers were successfully constructed by self-assemblies of coumarinbridged bifunctional UPy derivative.Benefitting from the photodimerization ability of the coumarin moieties,the linear supramolecular polymers could form the large three-dimensional polymer networks upon UV light irradiation via photo-cross-linking,which provides a viable and alternative procedure to modulate the properties of supramolecular polymers.

Aggregate Engineering in Supramolecular Polymers via Extensive Non-covalent Networks

Aggregate engineering of non-covalent networks endows supramolecular polymers with thermo-mechanical versatility,stimuli-responsive phase transitions and intrinsic damage-healing capabilities.However,most non-covalent networks are vulnerable at elevated temperatures,which suppresses the robustness of supramolecular polymers.Herein,ureidocytosine(UCy)motifs,which are capable of forming extensive non-covalent networks and thus robust molecular aggregates via multivalent hydrogen bonds and aromatic stackings,are proposed to enable precise programming of the thermo-mechanical versatility.Molecular simulations reveal that the enthalpic contributions from the UCy aggregates play dominant roles to compensate the entropic loss from the redistributions of polymeric spacers and stabilize the non-covalent networks over wide temperature windows.Such aggregate-level strategy offers prospects for applications which require thermo-mechanical versatility of supramolecular polymers,such as 3D printing,microfabrication and damage-healing coating.

Supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host–guest interactions

Supramolecular polymers constructed by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonding and macrocyclic host-guest interactions have received increasing attention due to their elegant structures,outstanding properties,and potential applications.Hydrogen bonding endows these supramolecular polymers with good adaptability and reversibility,while macrocyclic host-guest interactions give them good selectivity and versatile stimuli-responsiveness.Therefore,functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by these two highly specific,noninterfering interactions in an orthogonal way have shown wide applications in the fields of molecular machines,electronics,soft materials,etc.In this review,we discuss the recent advances of functional supramolecular polymers fabricated by orthogonal self-assembly based on multiple hydroge n bonding and host-guest interactions.In particular,we focus on crown ether-and pillar[n]arene-based supramolecular polymers due to their compatibility with multiple hydrogen bonds in organic solution.The fabrication strategies,interesting properties,and potential applications of these advanced supramolecular materials are mainly concerned.

High Impact Resistance Epoxy Resins by Incorporation of Quadruply Hydrogen Bonded Supramolecular Polymers

A bisphenol A based epoxy was incorporated with a quadruply hydrogen bonded supramolecular polymer as a toughening agent to prepare a composite epoxy resin with higher impact resistance. The supramolecular polymer comprising poly-（propylene glycol） bis（2-aminopropyl） ether chains and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone moieties（UPy） self-assembled into spherical domains with sizes of 300 nm to 600 nm in diameter by micro phase separation in bulk epoxy matrixes. A significant improvement of 300% in impact resistance of the supramolecular polymer incorporated epoxy resin was obtained when the content of supramolecular polymer was 10 wt%. Tensile tests showed that the mechanical properties of the modified epoxy resin containing the hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers are also improved compared with those of the neat epoxy resin.

Hydrogen Bonded Supramolecular Polymers in Both Apolar and Aqueous Media： Self-Assembly and Reversible Conversion of Vesicles and Gels

In a preliminary letter （Tetrahedron Lett. 2010, 51, 188）, we reported two new hydrazide-based quadruple hydrogen-bonding motifs, this is, two monopodal （la and lb） and five dipodal （2a, 2b and 3a--3c） aromatic hydrazide derivatives, and the formation of supramolecular polymers and vesicles from the dipodal motifs in hydrocarbons. In this paper, we present a full picture on the properties of these hydrogen-bonding motifs with an emphasis on their self-assembling behaviors in aqueous media. SEM, AFM, TEM and fluorescent micrographs indicate that all the dipodal compounds also form vesicles in polar methanol and water-methanol （up to 50% of water） mixtures. Control experiments show that lb does not form vesicles in same media. Addition of lb to the solution of the dipodal compounds inhibits the latter＇s capacity of forming vesicles. At high concentrations, 3b and 3c also gelate discrete solvents, including hydrocarbons, esters, methanol, and methanol-water mixture. Concentration-dependent SEM investigations reveal that the vesicles of 3b and 3c fuse to form gels and the gel of 3c can de-aggregate to form the vesicles reversibly.

Preparation of a fixed-tetraphenylethylene motif bridged ditopic benzo-21-crown-7 and its application for constructing AIE supramolecular polymers

Benzo-21-crown-7(B21 C7)is one of the most important crown ethers,which not only shows excellent physicochemical properties but also exhibits promising binding capability with dialkylammonium salts.In this paper,we designed and synthesized a fixed-tetraphenylethylene(FTPE)motif bridged ditopic benzo-21-crown-7 molecule(H).The fixed tetraphenylethylene motif endows H with aggregation induced emission(AIE)prope rty.In the presence of a ditopic dialkylammonium salt guest molecule(G),a fluorescent supramolecular polymer with golden luminescent property could be fabricated.This B21 C7-based host-guest supramolecular polymer with golden fluorescence may have potential application in dynamic luminescent materials.

CO_(2)-based Biodegradable Supramolecular Polymers with Well-tunable Adhesive Properties

Supramolecular adhesives that enable debonding on-demand are of significant research interest for the development of adaptive and smart materials,yet,biodegrable supramolecular adhesives have been rarely exploited.Herein,telechelic,three-armed and four-armed CO_(2)-based polyols with close molecular weights and various content(or carbonate unite content)have been synthesized via a zinc-cobalt double metal cyanide complex catalyzed ring-opening copolymerization of CO_(2) and propylene oxide,and further exploited as sustainable and biodegradable building blocks for supramolecular polymers(SMPs)with 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone(UPy)motifs.Notably,the orthogonal modulation of the CO_(2) content and the topology of CO_(2)-based polyols provide a unique opportunity to fine-tune the surface energy as well as the cohesive strength of the resulting CO_(2)-based SMPs.Notably,a three-armed SMP with 44%CO_(2)(3UPy-CO_(2)-44%)can well balance the trade-off between surface energy and cohesive strength,therefore bestowing a high adhesive strength of 7.5 and 9.7 MPa towards stainless steel and wood substrates respectively by testing the corresponding single lap joints.Moreover,the light-responsive adhesion property of 3UPy-CO_(2)-44%has been demonstrated exemplarily by blending with a UV sensitizer.

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.

Translating the action of molecular motors to supramolecular polymers

The amplification of asymmetry from the molecular level to the macroscopic scale is an intriguing mechanism operative in natural systems to control complex functions.Inspired by nature,strategies for transferring chiral information across length scales in purely synthetic systems have been investigated.[1,2]Thereof,chiral molecules are embedded into well-defined ordered supramolecular structures with the dynamics of noncovalent interactions leading to the amplification effect.

A New Three-dimensional Supramolecular Polymer Built from Non-covalent Bonding Interactions

A new complex, [Ni2（L）4（H2O）8]（1, L1 = 4-（1H-imidazol-4-yl）benzoic acid）, has been hydrothermally prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and PXRD. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/c with α = 22.281（2）, b = 7.3959（7）, c = 24.978（3） ？, β = 90.876（10）, V = 4115.6（7） ？3, Z = 8, C20H22N4O8Ni, Mr = 505.13, Dc = 1.630 g/cm3, μ = 1.001 mm-1, S = 1.080, F（000） = 2096, the final R = 0.452 and wR = 0.1152 for 9380 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I））. The result of X-ray diffraction analysis revealed three different kinds of Ni（II） centre mononuclear molecules in the asymmetric unit. The independent mononuclear units are bridged to form a three-dimensional supramolecular polymer by extensive hydrogen bonds and C–H… non-covalent bonding interactions.

Supramolecular Polymer Intertwined Free-Standing Bifunctional Membrane Catalysts for All-Temperature Flexible Zn-Air Batteries

Rational construction of flexible free-standing electrocatalysts featuring long-lasting durability,high efficiency,and wide temperature tolerance under harsh practical operations are fundamentally significant for commercial zinc-air batteries.Here,3D flexible free-standing bifunctional membrane electrocatalysts composed of covalently cross-linked supramolecular polymer networks with nitrogen-deficient carbon nitride nanotubes are fabricated(referred to as PEMAC@NDCN)by a facile self-templated approach.PEMAC@NDCN demonstrates the lowest reversible oxygen bifunctional activity of 0.61 V with exceptional long-lasting durability,which outperforms those of commercial Pt/C and RuO_(2).Theoretical calculations and control experi-ments reveal the boosted electron transfer,electrolyte mass/ion transports,and abundant active surface site preferences.Moreover,the constructed alkaline Zn-air battery with PEMAC@NDCN air-cathode reveals superb power density,capacity,and discharge-charge cycling stability(over 2160 cycles)compared to the reference Pt/C+RuO_(2).Solid-state Zn-air batteries enable a high power density of 211 mW cm^(−2),energy density of 1056 Wh kg^(−1),stable charge-discharge cycling of 2580 cycles for 50 mA cm^(−2),and wide temperature tolerance from−40 to 70℃with retention of 86%capacity compared to room-temperature counterparts,illustrating prospects over harsh operations.

Two Three-dimensional Supramolecular Polymer Built from Mixed N-Donor and Carboxylate Ligands

Two new complexes, [Mn（L）（mmbda）（H_2O）]（1） and [Co（L）（btc）（H_2O）]·H_2O（2）, were synthesized by reacting the corresponding metal（Ⅱ） salts with rigid ligand 1,4-di（1Himidazol-4-yl）benzene（L） and two different carboxylic acids of 5-methylisophthalic acid（H_2mmbda） and 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid（H_3btc）, respectively. The structures of the complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and PXRD. Complex 1 crystallizes in triclinic, space group P1 with a = 6.9436（4）, b = 9.7306（6）, c = 15.5302（10） ？, α = 73.7430（10）, β = 85.1010（10）, γ = 70.0360（10）o, V = 946.75（10） ？~3, Z = 2, C_（21）H_（20）N_4O_5 Mn, M_r = 463.33, D_c = 1.618 g/cm^3, μ = 0.742-1, S = 1.002, F（000） = 474, the final R = 0.0285 and wR = 0.0600 for 4328 observed reflections（I 〉 2σ（I））. Complex 2 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P2_1/n with a = 12.5216（12）, b = 7.3312（8）, c = 22.510（2） ？, β = 93.104（2）o, V = 2063.3（4） ？~3, Z = 4, C_（21）H_（18）N_4O_8Co, M_r = 513.31, D_c = 1.646 g/cm^3, μ = 0.892^（-1） mm, S = 1.096, F（000） = 1044, the final R = 0.0673 and wR = 0.1780 for 3594 observed reflections（I 〉 2σ（I））. Both of complexes are one-dimensional（1D） chain structures and rich hydrogen bonds extend such 1D chains to form three-dimensional（3D） supramolecular polymers.

Syntheses,Structures,and Properties of Three New Polymers Based on Flexible and Rigid Ligands

Three new supramolecular polymers, [（IP）（H2SO4）（H2O）]（1）, [（H2SDC）（BPA）]（2） and [Mn（SDC）（IP）2]n （3）, have been constructed by three modes（rigid IP, rigid SDC ＋ flexible BPA, rigid IP ＋ rigid SDC）. Polymers 1 and 2 are supramolecular structures, assembled by hydrogen bonds and π···π interactions. X-ray structure analysis of 3 shows waved 1D chains which form a 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds and π···π interactions. Solid-state properties of thermal stability, luminescent properties, and X-ray powder diffractions for these crystalline materials have also been investigated, and polymer 3 is considered to be a good stable luminescence material.

Supramolecular Polymerization of Hydrogen-Bonded Trimers in Bulk and Aqueous Medium

Synthetic molecules that form functional noncovalent assemblies in water have received much attention for their potential applications as biomaterials.In this work,we introduce a novel water-compatible monomer based on the phthalhydrazide moiety that assembles into hydrogen-bonded trimeric discs.In bulk,the material exhibits a cylindrical nanostructure in the liquid-crystalline phase at elevated temperatures,morphologically distinct from the crystalline lamellar phase.In water,these molecules effectively form cylinders in a one-dimensional fashion,yielding fibrous structures.The formation of these supramolecular polymers follows a cooperative mechanism,as evidenced by denaturation studies.The trimerized pattern represents a new category of aqueous su pramolecular polymers with future prospects for functional complex molecular systems.