Solution-phase self-assembly of complementary halogen bonding polymers.

Noncovalent halogen bonding interactions are explored as a driving force for solution phase macromolecular self-assembly. Conditions for controlled radical polymerization of an iodoperfluoroarene-bearing methacrylate halogen bond donor were identified. An increase in association constant relative to monomeric species was observed for the interaction between halogen bond donor and acceptor polymers in solution. When the polymeric donor was combined with a block copolymer bearing halogen bond-accepting amine groups, higher-order structures were obtained in both organic solvent and in water. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic data are consistent with structures having cores composed of the interacting halogen bond donor and acceptor segments.