Themed collection Editors’ collection: Supramolecular Chemistry

Nature's fuel-driven approach as a generic concept for structural and temporal regulation over biomimetic synthetic supramolecular polymerization.

Thiacalix[4]arenes are one kind of robust scaffolds and extensively applied in supramolecular chemistry and materials science owing to their novel features.

5-(4-Aminophenyl)-10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin in acidic water self-assembles into a J-aggregate exhibiting a prominently red-shifted hyperporphyrin-type Q-absorption band at 742 nm.

Supramolecular hydrogel, AGC₁₆/NTS, was used to encapsulate hydrophobic drug curcumin (Cur), constructing a pH-responsive drug delivery system; the uptake of released Cur by cancer cells also occurred.

Prolinamide with adamantane catalyzed the aldol reaction. The reaction of cyclohexanone with m-nitrobenzaldehyde assessed recyclability of catalyst. After run, the catalyst was adsorbed with nanofibrous of polymer via host–guest interaction.

Novel melt-recyclable poly(ε-caprolactone)/cellulose nanocrystals supramolecular nanocomposite networks with shape-memory behavior have been successfully constructed by playing with UPy chemistry.

The insulating materials used in power cables are susceptible to damage and cracks during installation and operation.

A fluorescent calixarene-based dimeric capsule has been constructed via a M^II–terpyridine interaction, and can capture mercaptopurine in solution and crystalline state and control drug release in PBS accompanied with fluorescence recovery.

TPE-Ser molecules exhibit non-covalent interactions necessary for hydrogelation under physiological pH conditions.

We developed supramolecular hydrogels encapsulating bioengineered mesenchymal stem cells for ischemia therapy.

pH-responsive emission behavior of supramolecular complexes between pyridylbutadiene with CB7 and formation of molecular assemblies is described.

The importance of side chains of amino acids for NDI–Py co-assembled hydrogelation is described.

Multi-morphology supramolecular polymers from linear to dendritic polymerization by the introduction of azobenzene were obtained based on host–guest interaction.

The PDI-DHA can aggregate to form supramolecular assemblies when mixed with lauroylcholine and lauric acid, and is employed as a ratiometric fluorescence probe for the detection of AChE activity.

Supramolecular amphiphilic complexes of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]), alkylated paraquat and RGD-modified azobenzene self-assemble into vesicles of 200 nm in diameter that, after loading with proteins, were used for cell targeting.

A novel dual-channel chemosensor S1 is designed and synthesized, which recognizes Ag⁺ over other metal ions with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Polymerization of citric acid and hexamethylene diisocyanate and hydrolysis results in a polyelectrolyte PHMC. Noncovalent cross-linking of cooperative H-bonding units stabilizes the self-assembly of the PHMC chains into nanoparticles in water.

PGHN–DNA can be a good model to study DNA–carrier interaction as well as a new carrier for gene delivery research.

A bola-type cation and a newly synthesized anionic surfactant together generate a supramolecular gemini-like structure via electrostatic interactions, which facilitates the formation of wormlike micelles.

A novel pH-responsive nanofiltration membrane was fabricated by means of layer-by-layer technique based on porphyrin supramolecular self-assembly.

Discotic trisamide formed a self-assembled polymer and exhibits inversion of supramolecular polymer handedness in the presence of HCl.

Encapsulation of trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride inside α and β-cyclodextrins in both aqueous solution and solid state with 1 : 1 stoichiometry.

Halogen bonding between photoactive guest dopants and liquid-crystal host enhances the optical performance of doped liquid crystals.

Pure E and Z stereoisomers of tetraphenylethene derivatives functionalized with dibenzylamine groups were isolated. Both supramolecular polymerization and photophysical changes were more significant in the case of the former than in the latter.

The ion stimuli-responsive metallogel PbG could act as a highly selective and sensitive I⁻ sensor and a rewritable dual-channel security display material.

In the study, an organic molecule derived from paeonol and anthraniloyl hydrazine (L) was synthesized via a Schiff-base reaction.

Two metallo-supramolecular polymers (polyNiL1 and polyNiL2) with different metal–metal distances were synthesized via (1 : 1) complexation of the Ni salts with bis(1,10-phenanthroline)s and their DNA binding properties and cytotoxicity were revealed.

Solvent-induced construction of two zinc supramolecular isomerism, sensing properties and adsorption of dye molecules.

A novel highly efficient FRET system from aggregation-induced emission to BODIPY emission based on the host–guest interaction for mimicking a light harvesting system was disclosed with a FRET efficiency up to 93%

Neutral linear supramolecular polymers were constructed by the combination of quadruple hydrogen bonding, pillar[5]arene-based molecular recognition and π–π donor–acceptor interactions.

Fluorophores coupled with supramolecules lead to “dot” topologies in citric-acid derived carbon dots under the effect of hydrogen bonding.

The emission response of GFP chromophore in aggregated state is greatly enhanced more than 100-fold due to the inhibition of conformational motion and the reduction of strong π–π interaction.

Water soluble amphiphilic urea-substituted β-cyclodextrins were synthesized and applied as amino acid receptors.

Supramolecular PPFOH-based conjugated polymer sub-microspheres (CPSMs) are constructed via “one step” solvent evaporation induced interface self-assembly (SEIS), which pave a way to construct colloidal crystal and light-emitting diodes.

A series of novel metallo-supramolecular polymers was prepared, based on 2,6-bis(2-oxazolinyl)pyridine chelating groups bridged with thiophene, bithiophene and thienothiophene as a linker, beginning from commercially available (chelidamic) acid.

Binary and ternary complexes of norepinephrine with 18C6, βCD and CB7 have been characterized using various experimental and theoretical techniques.

IBU is solubilized and encapsulated by β-CDP. Then C₁₂ side-chain grafting onto HEC forms inclusion complexes with the cavities of β-CDP in β-CDP/IBU through host–guest interactions to form a new self-assembled hydrogel gel-(β)CDP-HEC/IBU.

Conversion of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular organic frameworks (HSOF) to a uranyl-organic coordination complex (UOCC) by uranyl-induced disassembly and reassembly: innovative “matrix-free” strategy for highly efficient uranium capture.

A fluorescein hydrazone (FDNS) displays molecular recognition of multiple ions with its supramolecular architectures. Real sample analysis, cell imaging, paper strip detection and sequential logic operation endows FDNS of great economic significance.

An easy and simple method for the impediment of the photodimerization of coumarin derivative induced by pillar[5]arene-based molecular recognition was provided. Moreover, we successfully use this system in supra-amphiphile self-assembly in water.

We reported a peptide-based supramolecular hydrogel possessing a gel–sol phase transition triggered by H₂O₂.

Solubility and calorimetry data provide the description of a phase map for metastable supramolecular nanotubes of biological origin.