Dissipative supramolecular polymerization powered by light

Abstract

A new method of light-powered dissipative supramolecular polymerization is established, in which supramolecular polymerization is implemented in the far-from-equilibrium state. A bifunctional monomer containing two viologen moieties was designed. Upon inputting energy by light, the system was driven far from equilibrium, and the monomers were photoreduced and activated to form supramolecular polymers driven by 2:1 host-guest complexation of the viologen cation radical and cucurbit[8]uril. As the system returned to equilibrium, the supramolecular polymers depolymerized spontaneously by air oxidation. This method works in both linear and in cross-linked supramolecular polymerization. The strategy of light-powered dissipative supramolecular polymerization is anticipated to have potential in the fabrication of functional supramolecular materials, especially in creating novel "living" materials.