Exploiting hydrogen bonding to direct supramolecular polymerization at the air/water interface

Abstract

Fluid interfaces provide an advanced platform for directed self-assembly of organic composites and formation of supramolecular polymers (SPs). Intermolecular interactions govern the supramolecular polymerization processes, with hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) as a key interaction in supramolecular chemistry and biology. Two purposefully designed supra-amphiphiles for assessing the role of H-bonding were designed and their supramolecular polymerization (SP) at the air/water interface was compared. H-bonding was confirmed by in situ experimental and computational techniques as the required intermolecular interaction for attaining SPs with well-defined molecular arrangement. Control of H-bonding as opposite to traditionally considered interactions, e.g., π-π stacking is proposed as a successful strategy for SP at fluid interfaces.