Preparation of a mechanically interlocked polymer from a linear supramolecular polymer

Abstract

A novel supramolecular polymer based on the pillar[5]arene/alkyl-1,2,3-triazole recognition motif and a suitable light responsive azobenzene stopper has been constructed. We found that the formation of the supramolecular polymer based on trans-1 is highly dependent on the monomer concentration. Moreover, by the irradiation of a high concentration solution of trans-1 at 365 nm, we successfully transformed this linear supramolecular polymer into a mechanically interlocked polymer composed of cis-1 by photoisomerization.