Reconfigurable polymers via supramolecular self-sorting

Certain small molecules with hydrogen bonding motifs (HBMs) are able to exhibit variable molecular recognition behaviour allowing them to spontaneously reconfigure facilitating self-sorting cascades and networks. Incorporation of HBMs into polymers has produced a new generation of supramolecular “smart” materials, however, there remains a need to develop multistate systems that are responsive to external stimuli. In this thesis the syntheses of visible-light responsive hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymers are explored. Chapter 1 introduces the topics explored in this project through a review of relevant literature. The current understandings of hydrogen-bonding motifs, supramolecular self-sorting, polymeric materials and photoresponsive molecules are discussed. Chapter 2 details the synthesis and characterisation of photoresponsive hydrogen-bonding foldamers. Four foldamer designs are discussed and three are successfully synthesised and characterised. Chapter 3 examines the formation of photo-switchable supramolecular multistate systems using the foldamers described in chapter 2. Chapter 4 details efforts made towards the design and synthesis of reconfigurable hydrogen-bonding covalent polymers. Overall, this thesis covers progress made towards the goal of using supramolecular self-sorting to achieve reconfigurable polymers. Supramolecular polymers which can reconfigure in response to light stimuli have been developed, laying the foundations for future polymeric systems that can reconfigure using self-sorting.