Supramolecular polymers site distribution

Broadening the scope, we may briefly consider a nonexhaustive panorama of various types and features of supramolecular polymers depending on their constitution, characterized by three main parameters the nature of the core/framework of the monomers, the type of noncovalent interaction(s), and the eventual incorporation of functional subunits. The interactions may involve complementary arrays of hydrogen-bonding sites, electrostatic forces, electronic donor-acceptor interactions, metalion coordination, etc. The polyassociated structure itself may be of main-chain, side-chain, or branched, dendritic type, depending on the number and disposition of the interaction subunits. The central question is that of the size and the polydispersity of the polymeric supramolecular species formed. Of course their size is expected to increase with concentration and the polydispersity depends on the stability constants for successive associations. The dependence of the molecular weight distribution on these parameters may be simulated by a mathematical model [19]. These features are detailed in Chapters 2, 3, and 6 for various growth mechanisms. 

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