Mutual binding of polymer end-groups by complementary π–π-stacking: a molecular “Roman Handshake”

Greenland, B. W., Bird, M. B., Burattini, S., Cramer, R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8037-2511, O'Reilly, R. K., Patterson, J. P., Hayes, W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0047-2991, Cardin, C. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2556-9995 and Colquhoun, H. M. (2013) Mutual binding of polymer end-groups by complementary π–π-stacking: a molecular “Roman Handshake”. Chemical Communications, 49 (5). pp. 454-456. ISSN 1359-7345 doi: 10.1039/C2CC35965K

Abstract/Summary

Self-complementary tweezer-molecules based on a naphthalenediimide core self-assemble into supramolecular dimers through mutual π–π-stacking and hydrogen bonding. The resulting motif is extremely stable in solution (Ka = 105 M−1), and its attachment to one terminal position of a poly(ethylene glycol) chain leads to a doubling of the polymer's apparent molecular weight.