Supramolecular polymerization promoted and controlled through self-sorting.

A new method in which supramolecular polymerization is promoted and controlled through self-sorting is reported. The bifunctional monomer containing p-phenylene and naphthalene moieties was prepared. Supramolecular polymerization is promoted by selective recognition between the p-phenylene group and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), and 2:1 complexation of the naphthalene groups with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]). The process can be controlled by tuning the CB[7] content. This development will enrich the field of supramolecular polymers with important advances towards the realization of molecular-weight and structural control.