Step-wise self-assembly of a small molecule with two orthogonal binding interactions leads to single stranded linear polymers in DMSO.

The step-wise self-assembly of a small, self-complementary monomer with two orthogonal binding interactions, ion pairing and metal-ligand binding, is described; zwitterion forms ion paired dimers in DMSO which, upon addition of 0.5 equivalents of Fe(ii), aggregate into single stranded linear polymers.