Dynamic sol–gel interconversion by reversible cation binding and release in G-quartet-based supramolecular polymers

Abstract

The bis-guanine monomer G-G forms highly cross-linked, K⁺ stabilized, polymeric hydrogels that can be reversibly interconverted between gel and sol state via sequential binding and release of K⁺ by a cryptand undergoing protonation/deprotonation.