Supramolecular polymers synthesized by thiol–ene click polymerization from supramonomers

Abstract

This communication describes the fabrication of supramonomers based on supramolecular complexation between cucurbit[8]uril and the tetrapeptide Phe-Gly-Gly-Cys. The supramolecular polymers are obtained by thiol–ene click polymerization of the supramonomers with maleimide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol). Benefiting from the green and pH dependent nature of thiol–ene click reaction, it is expected that this line of research will enrich the methodology for fabricating supramolecular polymers with controlled compositions and structures.