Photo-responsive supramolecular polymers synthesized by olefin metathesis polymerization from supramonomers

Abstract

This communication reports the construction of supramonomers based on the dimerization of styrene terminated ureido-pyrimidinone driven by quadruple hydrogen bonding. The supramolecular polymer was obtained by olefin metathesis of supramonomers. Benefiting from the photo-responsiveness of stilbene units and the dynamic behaviour of double bonds in the presence of ruthenium catalysts, the molecular weight of the supramolecular polymer can be regulated through reversible conformational modulation by UV irradiation and ruthenium catalysts. It is expected that this research will enrich the methodology of fabricating supramolecular polymers with controlled structures.