Controlled Formation of a Main Chain Supramolecular Polymer Based on Metal-Ligand Interactions and a Thiol-Ene Click Reaction

Supramolecular polymers with multiple functionalities and hierarchical structures have received considerable attention and become a hot research topic over the past years. Herein, a main-chain supramolecular polymer has been successfully fabricated by using metal-ligand interactions and a thiol-ene click reaction. H-1 NMR, UV/Vis, DOSY, and viscosity measurements were carried out to investigate the molecular recognition and the process of supramolecular polymerization. From the study, the orthogonality between thiol-ene click reactions and the terpyridine-metal ions complexation behavior was testified, and supramolecular polymeric assemblies could be constructed by a one pot method. In the meantime, due to the incorporation of metal-ligand interactions, the supramolecular polymer shows stimuli-responsive properties toward chemical stimuli. Hence, this work could provide a methodology for developing supramolecular polymers as smart materials.