Responsive cross-linked supramolecular polymer network: hierarchical supramolecular polymerization driven by cryptand-based molecular recognition and metal coordination

Facile and efficient design and control of the topologies of polymers are important in the field of supramolecular polymers. Different pre-organized supramolecular coordination complexes with secondary recognition moieties in various directions can be easily obtained by just changing the number or orientation of the coordination sites. Herein, a responsive cross-linked supramolecular polymer network was constructed in an orthogonal way by unifying the themes of coordination-driven self-assembly and cryptand-based molecular recognition. Two stepwise self-assembly behaviors as well as a one-pot interaction for the preparation of this advanced supramolecular polymer were addressed. Notably, cation-induced dynamic properties make the resulting polymer promising candidate for application in degradable materials.