Supramolecular LCPs

Utilization of the single hydrogen bond between pyridine and benzoic acids in SLCP s has been a source of inspiration for other groups in the development of main-chain supramolecular polymers based on diacids and dipyridines.53-56 Supramolecular rod-coil polymers have been developed by assembly of 4,4 -bipyridines and telechelic polypropylene oxide with benzoic acid end-groups, which show highly ordered liquid crystalline phases.57 The use of tartaric acid derivatives in combination with bipyridine units resulted in the formation of hydrogen-bonded, chiral main-chain LCP s, as has been shown by circular dichroism measurements, optical microscopy, and X-ray data.58,59... 

Next to side-chain LCPs and main-chain LCPs, supramolecular networks were obtained by complex-ation of bipyridines with polyacrylates containing pendant benzoic acid groups. In a related approach, Kato and Frechet have studied supramolecular networks based on low-molecular-weight components, in which a trifunctional benzoic acid derivative was combined with a difunctional pyridine derivative.62 The hierarchy of the LC-phase that was formed turned out to be dependent on the flexibility of the trifunctional compound used. 

Over the years there have been a number of excellent papers [39-41] that cover different aspects of this burgeoning field. The field of supramolecular materials and LCPs is a large one and includes the supramolecular ordering of... 

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