Supramolecular polymers articles from across Nature Portfolio

Encoding recognition units into sequence-defined synthetic oligomers enables hybridization into unique assemblies in non-aqueous solutions. In this Review Article, we explore the chemistries that enable production of sequence-selective, duplex-forming oligomers through noncovalent or dynamic covalent bonds.

Developing eco-friendly chiral organocatalysts with the combined advantages of homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous processes is challenging. Here, the authors present, a family of amphiphilic one handed helical polyisocyanides bearing phosphine pendants which self-assembled into well-defined chiral micelles in water and show thermo-responsiveness

Crystalline porous molecular frameworks formed through intermolecular hydrogen bonding calling hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have recently been investigated as a new family of functional porous materials. In this review, HOFs composed of tritopic, tetratopic, and hexatopic carboxylic acid derivatives, which form H-bonded network such as those with hcb, sql, and hxl topologies depending on the numbers, positions, and orientations of the carboxy groups and conformational flexibility of the molecular skeletons, are reviewed by considering structural aspects such as isostructurality.

Enriching the toolbox of polymers, the design and construction of novel polymers with desired properties and functions remains an attractive topic in polymer chemistry. Here the authors demonstrate rotaxane-branched dendronized polymers with rotaxane-branched dendrons attached onto the polymer chains as polymers with attractive dynamic properties.

Double-hydrophilic block copolymers composed of a water-soluble poly(carboxybetaine acrylate) and a water-insoluble poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PCBA2_n-b-PMEA_m) produced particles in dilute aqueous solutions and microphase-separated structures in concentrated aqueous solutions. The microphase-separated structures were associated with the volume fraction and molecular weight-dependent water solubility of the PMEA chain. The morphology of the microphase-separated structure was independent of the polymer concentration, probably because the block copolymer aggregates were isolated as coacervates. The morphology was tolerant to NaCl concentration due to the nonelectrostatic aggregation of PMEA.

Functionalising porous materials is a route to enhancing properties of hybrid materials. Here authors present a “Cage-on-MOF” strategy to modify the surface of mesoporous MOFs by using molecular cages to achieve selective dyes adsorption behavior and heterogeneous catalysis.

The concepts of multistep processes and regioselectivity — fundamental in covalent synthesis — have now been applied to the non-covalent synthesis of sequence-controlled multiblock supramolecular polymers.

Combining equilibrium self-assembly with coupling mechanisms defying Newton’s third law allows for the design of programmable, time-varying, self-organized assemblies mimicking living matter.

A doughnut-shaped microstructure with single-handed helical feature has been created via the combination of bottom-up self-assembly and top-down solution depositing processes.

From the realization of their true nature one hundred years ago to the latest approaches for structuring materials using molecular weaving, high-molecular-weight polymers still have much to offer society.

The supramolecular assembly of oligomers encoded with complementary recognition units enables duplex hybridization with helical structure.

Molecular knots are evolving from academic curiosities to a practically useful class of mechanically interlocked molecules, capable of performing unique tasks at the nanoscale. In this comment, the author discusses the properties of molecular knots, and highlights future challenges for chemical topology.