Supramolecular polymers based on a pillar[5]arene-fused cryptand: design, fabrication and degradation accompanied by a fluorescence change

Abstract

Novel linear supramolecular polymers based on a pillar[5]arene-fused cryptand have been constructed easily and conveniently, in which three orthogonal interactions: quadruple hydrogen bonding, cryptand-based host–guest recognition, and pillar[5]arene-based host–guest interaction were combined together. Furthermore, the resulting linear supramolecular polymers can be effectively depolymerized accompanying a fluorescence change by the addition of another competitive cryptand host.