the 1960s, supramolecular polymers were created in which two or more ions or molecules are held together by non‐covalent interactions, such as ionic/Coulombic, hydrogen‐bonding, and π–π‐stacking interactions as well as metal‐to‐ligand coordination. A wide, diverse group of host–guest (inclusion) complexes was named in this context. Despite their chemically, highly different nature, they offer common characteristics, such as the unique ability to assemble linear polymer chains due to the mostly high directionality of these interactions and, even more importantly, their reversibility of binding. Thus, when incorporated into a polymer backbone, materials are obtained that exhibit properties that cannot be realized by traditional, i.e. covalent polymers.
Today, the fundamental theories that govern supramolecular polymerization reactions are well understood using a broad range of traditional and new analytical techniques, allowing their in‐depth characterization both in solution and in the solid state. This overview of the different types of supramolecular polymers is organized according to the non‐covalent interactions from which they have been assembled. In each case, the fundamental aspects as well as examples of supramolecular polymers with respect to their synthesis, properties, and potential applications are summarized. We have attempted to cover each field as detailed as possible in order to assist future researchers in this rapidly expanding arena. Future research on supramolecular polymers will continue to develop and thus, in part, replace traditional historic polymeric materials. It will be important to also make forthcoming materials more biodegradable, lighter, safer, and yet still inexpensive. Hopefully, this overview will help researchers open new pathways to supramolecular systems.
June 2020
Jena & Jupiter
Abbreviations
| 18C6 | 18‐crown‐6 |
| A | adenine or absorbance |
| A2 | second virial coefficient |
| acac | acetoacetate |
| ACQ | aggregation‐caused quenching |
| AFM | atomic force microscopy |
| AF4 | asymmetric flow field flow fractionation |
| AIE | aggregation‐induced emission |
| Alq3 | tris(8‐hydroxyquinolinato)aluminium |
| ATP | adenosine triphosphate |
| ATRP | atom transfer radical polymerization |
| AUC | analytical ultracentrifugation |
| bdt | 1,2‐benzenedithiolate |
| bFGF | basic fibroblast growth factor |
| Bn | benzyl |
| BODIPY | boron‐dipyrromethene |
| BMP32C10 | bis(m‐phenylene)‐32‐crown‐10 |
| BPP34C10 | bis(p‐phenylene)‐34‐crown‐10 |
| BSA | Bovine serum albumin |
| B21C7 | benzo‐21‐crown‐7 |
| cac | critical aggregation concentration |
| CB[n] | cucurbit[n]uril; n = number of glycuril units |
| CD | circular dichroism or cyclodextrin |
| CDSA | crystallization‐driven self‐assembly |
| ceff | effective concentration |
| Ce6 | chlorin‐e6 |
| cgc | critical gelation concentration |
| Ch+ | cycloheptatrienyl cation |
| ChE | cholinesterase |
| CIA | calixarene‐induced aggregation |
| CIE | commission Internationale de l′Éclairage |
| CLSM | confocal laser scanning microscopy |
| cmc | critical micellar concentration |
| CNT | carbon nanotube |
| CONASH | coordination nanosheet |
| cpc | critical polymerization concentration |
| CPK (models) | 3D molecular models |
| CS | cold spray |
| CT | charge transfer |
| CuCAAC | Cu(I)‐catalyzed azide‐to‐alkyne cycloaddition |
| CV | cyclic voltammetry |
| CVD | chemical vapor deposition |
| DABCO | 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane |
| DBU | 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene |
| DB24C8 | Dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 |
| DCC | dynamic covalent chemistry |
| DEB | diethyl barbiturate |
| DHP | dihexyldecylphosphonate |
| DLS | dynamic light scattering |
| DMAc | dimethyl acetamide |
| DMF | dimethyl formamide |
| DMSO | dimethylsulfoxide |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DP | degree of polymerization |
| DPP | diphenylphenanthrene or diketopyrrolopyrrole |
| DOSY | diffusion‐ordered (NMR) spectroscopy |
| DOX | doxorubicin |
| DQ | (1H) double quantum |