Open AccessPlaying LEGO with macromolecules: Design, synthesis, and self‐organization with metal complexes
Author(s) -
Lohmeijer Bas G. G.,
Schubert Ulrich S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of polymer science part a: polymer chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.768
H-Index - 152
eISSN - 1099-0518
pISSN - 0887-624X
DOI - 10.1002/pola.10685
Subject(s) - terpyridine , supramolecular chemistry , macromolecule , copolymer , polymer , polymer chemistry , materials science , metal , supramolecular polymers , metal ions in aqueous solution , chemistry , template , combinatorial chemistry , polymer science , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , molecule , biochemistry
Several synthetic strategies for the incorporation of supramolecular binding units into polymers are described. Specifically, terpyridine ligands have been introduced into polymers in such a way that they are distributed either randomly throughout the polymer backbone or at the chain end(s). Two terpyridine ligands form octahedral complexes with a variety of transition‐metal ions, each having different properties. Some general statements regarding metal complex stability are presented as well as a special case representing the selective construction of heteroleptic terpyridine complexes. This leads to a kind of LEGO system for connecting and disconnecting the polymer blocks via metal complexes. Metallo‐supramolecular block copolymers, graft copolymers, and chain‐extended polymers can be designed and prepared with the principles described. Once the design parameters have been derived, thorough control over the final material and its properties can be gained. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1413–1427, 2003