The use of (metallo-)supramolecular initiators for living/controlled polymerization techniques

Abstract

The introduction of supramolecular interactions in synthetic polymers seems to be a promising approach towards novel ‘smart’ materials that combine both the (reversible) supramolecular interactions and the properties of the polymers. In this tutorial review, the use of (metallo-)supramolecular initiators for the preparation of end-functionalized (metallo-)supramolecular polymers will be discussed in detail. The different polymerization techniques that have been applied as well as the different ligands and metal complexes that were used to initiate these polymerizations will be discussed together with the resulting polymer properties.