10.1016/j.tet.2008.05.040
The study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of branched supramolecular polymers derived from bifunctional cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives. The researchers prepared these polymers by mixing 3-cinnamamide-α-CD (1) with 3-Na-cinnamamidehexancarbonyl-N3-cinnamamide-lysinamide-α-CD (3) and 3-cinnamamidehexanamide-α-CD (2) with 3. The study revealed that compounds 1 and 2 formed linear supramolecular polymers, while compound 3, featuring two guest moieties, resulted in hyperbranched supramolecular polymers. The physical properties of these polymers were examined through viscosity measurements in aqueous solutions, showing that the introduction of compound 3 as a branching unit significantly increased the viscosity. The supramolecular polymers did not exhibit a viscosity increase on their own, but their mixtures formed highly viscous solutions and fibers, attributed to branching of linear supramolecular polymers by compound 3 and interactions such as hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding between the polymers. The research provides insights into the formation and properties of supramolecular polymers with potential applications in material science.