title: Supramolecular Polymers in Aqueous Media.
abstract: This review discusses one-dimensional supramolecular polymers that form in aqueous media. First, naturally occurring supramolecular polymers are described, in particular, amyloid fibrils, actin filaments, and microtubules. Their structural, thermodynamic, kinetic, and nanomechanical properties are highlighted, as well as their importance for the advancement of biologically inspired supramolecular polymer materials. Second, five classes of synthetic supramolecular polymers are described: systems based on (1) hydrogen-bond motifs, (2) large π-conjugated surfaces, (3) host-guest interactions, (4) peptides, and (5) DNA. We focus on recent studies that address key challenges in the field, providing mechanistic understanding, rational polymer design, important functionality, robustness, or unusual thermodynamic and kinetic properties.
authors.forename: Elisha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krieg
authors.forename: Maartje M C
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bastings
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz , Mainz 55128, Germany.
authors.forename: Pol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Besenius
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rybtchinski
mesh_terms: D007700:Kinetics; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water