From random coil polymers to helical structures induced by carbon nanotubes and supramolecular interactions

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2013 Oct;34(19):1530-6. doi: 10.1002/marc.201300533. Epub 2013 Aug 25.

Abstract

A simple method is reported for the preparation of double-helical structures through a series of achiral random and block copolymers poly(styrene-co-4-vinylbenzyl triazolylmethyl methylthymine) (PS-co-PVBT) with various T units on the side chains through click reactions of poly(styrene-co-4-vinylbenzyl azide) (PS-co-PVBN(3)) with propargyl thymine (PT) and also the synthesis of the A-appended pyrene derivative (A-Py) through click chemistry. This double-helical structure is observed from achiral random-coil polystyrene (PS) main chains, stabilized through the combination of multiple A-T hydrogen bonds, and π-π stacking between pyrene units and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

Keywords: carbon nanotube; helical structures; multiple hydrogen bonding; supramolecular chemistry; π-π Stacking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Click Chemistry
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Pyrenes / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Thymine / chemistry

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Polymers
  • Polystyrenes
  • Pyrenes
  • pyrene
  • Thymine