Two-Dimensional Living Supramolecular Polymerization: Improvement in Edge Roughness of Supramolecular Nanosheets by Using a Dummy Monomer

Chemistry. 2023 Nov 21;29(65):e202302181. doi: 10.1002/chem.202302181. Epub 2023 Oct 11.

Abstract

Supramolecular polymers are formed through nucleation (i. e., initiation) and polymerization processes, and kinetic control over the nucleation process has recently led to the realization of living supramolecular polymerization. Changing the viewpoint, herein we focus on controlling the polymerization process, which we expect to pave the way to further developments in controlled supramolecular polymerization. In our previous study, two-dimensional living supramolecular polymerization was used to produce supramolecular nanosheets with a controlled area; however, these had rough edges. In this study, the growth of the nanosheets was controlled by using a 'dummy' monomer to produce supramolecular nanosheets with smoothed edges.

Keywords: dummy monomers; edge roughness; supramolecular polymers; two-dimensional polymerization.