title: Dendronized supramolecular polymers.
abstract: Supramolecular polymers formed from topological building blocks pave a new avenue for creating novel supramolecular structures and functional materials. Dendronized supramolecular polymers (DSPs) combine the topological characteristics of dendronized polymers and a dynamic nature from supramolecular chemistry, and are promising for the formation of supramolecular structures and functional assemblies. These topological supramolecular polymers have a characteristic cylindrical shape, high rigidity, multivalency, as well as inherent thickness. These structural characteristics make them ideal candidates for supramolecular assembly. DSPs can be formed through non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and metal coordination, and classified into main-chain, side-chain and block types. This feature article will summarize methodologies for the preparation of homo- and block DSPs with a focus on their supramolecular structure formation. Particular attention is put on the structural effects of DSPs on their supramolecular assembly.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry, Department of Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Materials Building Room 447, Nanchen Street 333, Shanghai 200444, China. wli@shu.edu.cn azhang@shu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jiatao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Afang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zhang