Calixarene-based supramolecular polymerization in solution

Abstract

Calixarenes are one kind of phenol–formaldehyde cyclic oligomers, discovered from the Bakelite process. Their intrinsic characteristics, including the unique structural scaffold, facile modification and adjustable inclusion property, show pronounced potential for supramolecular polymerization. In this tutorial review, we summarize the current stage of fabrication of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers. Three types of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers are, respectively, illustrated according to the different activities of calixarenes: (1) calixarene-based supramolecular polycaps, (2) supramolecular polymers with polymeric calixarene scaffolds where the cavities remain unexploited; (3) supramolecular polymers formed by the host–guest interactions offered by calixarene cavities. Furthermore, the stimuli-responsiveness and functions of calixarene-based supramolecular polymers are illustrated, which endow them with a broad range of potential applications as smart, self-healing materials and delivery carriers.