(9) Precision Supramolecular Polymerization

Supramolecular polymers are a new type of polymer in which monomeric units are brought together by reversible and highly directional non-covalent bonds such as hydrogen bonding and π-stacking. As in the case of conventional polymer chemistry, one can expect that control of structural characteristics of supramolecular polymers can lead to new phenomena and applications. In this review, we discuss recent progress on the polymerization methodologies in supramolecular polymer chemistry, particularly highlighting multi-component supramolecular polymerization and controlled/living supramolecular polymerization. Because of the development of this research field, nowadays, supramolecular block polymers can be achieved, and remarkably, some of which were found to show unique properties originating from the controlled structures. We believe that the precision supramolecular polymerization opens a new door between polymer chemistry and supramolecular chemistry.