Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 5
NONCOVALENT SIDE
CHAIN MODIFICATION
KAMLESH P. NAIR and MARCUS WECK
5.1. INTRODUCTION
The combination of noncovalent chemistry and polymer science has led to the
emergence of the relatively new field of supramolecular polymer chemistry. In the
past two decades this new area of science has seen phenomenal growth that is
mainly attributable to the significant advances in supramolecular and synthetic
polymer chemistry. Clearly, the synergy of these two areas of science has produced
a quantum leap in supramolecular polymer science. Almost endless permutations and
combinations of noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, metal coordi-
nation, and coulombic bonding with a wide variety of polymeric scaffolds have
been investigated with the goal to form highly functionalized complex nanoscale
architectures and materials. By using single or multiple noncovalent interactions,
polymer properties can be tailored precisely and easily.
In this chapter we will focus on side chain functionalized supramolecular
polymers as well as main chain noncovalent functionalized polymers, which are
the two main areas of supramolecular polymers. We will initially discuss the
design principles and methodology of side chain functionalization, in particular,
multifunctionalization. In the later part of the chapter, we will discuss in detail
two important applications of side chain functionalized supramolecular polymers.
The first application involves the use of noncovalent interactions to yield highly
functionalized materials, whereas the second application involves the reversible
noncovalent cross-linking of polymers to yield responsive materials.
