A rational strategy for the realization of chain-growth supramolecular polymerization

作者：Kang, Jiheong; Miyajima, Daigo^*; Mori, Tadashi; Inoue, Yoshihisa; Itoh, Yoshimitsu; Aida, Takuzo

来源：Science, 2015, 347(6222): 646-651.

DOI：10.1126/science.aaa4249

• CHEMISTRY
• MICELLES

Over the past decade, major progress in supramolecular polymerization has had a substantial effect on the design of functional soft materials. However, despite recent advances, most studies are still based on a preconceived notion that supramolecular polymerization follows a step-growth mechanism, which precludes control over chain length, sequence, and stereochemical structure. Here we report the realization of chain-growth polymerization by designing metastable monomers with a shape-promoted intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network. The monomers are conformationally restricted from spontaneous polymerization at ambient temperatures but begin to polymerize with characteristics typical of a living mechanism upon mixing with tailored initiators. The chain growth occurs stereoselectively and therefore enables optical resolution of a racemic monomer.

• 出版日期2015-2-6