Dynamic covalent bond based on reversible photo [4 + 4] cycloaddition of anthracene for construction of double-dynamic polymers.

Dynamic covalent bonds supplied by reversible anthracene dimerization were combined with pillar[5]arene/imidazole host-guest interactions to construct double-dynamic polymers. Heating such polymers (in solution or as a gel) led to depolymerization by dissociation of either the host-guest complexes alone or the complexes and the anthracene dimers, depending on the extent of heating. The polymers reformed readily upon cooling or irradiation.