Macromolecules, Vol.47, No.3, 1065-1072, 2014
Synthesis and Assembly of Novel Poly(organophosphazene) Structures Based on Noncovalent "Host-Guest" Inclusion Complexation
The design and assembly of new organophosphazene polymeric materials based on supramolecular "host-guest" interactions was accomplished by linkage of supramolecular Coupling units to either the main-chain terminus or the side-chains of the parent phosphazene polymer. Noncovalent interactions at the main chain terminus were used to produce amphiphilic palm-tree like pseudoblock copolymers via host-guest interactions between an adamantane end-functionalized polyphosphazene and a 4-armed beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) initiated poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacylate] branched-star type polymer. Moreover, noncovalent interactions involving polymer side-chains were achieved between polyphosphazenes with beta-CD pendant units and other polyphosphazene molecules with adamantyl moieties on the side-chains. These new organo-phosphazene structures based on noncovalent "host-guest" interactions generate new opportunities for the macromolecular modification of polyphosphazenes. The resultant materials demonstrated useful properties including self-aggregation, supramolecular gelation, and stimulus-responsive behavior.