Single-chain polymer self-assembly using complementary hydrogen bonding units

A triblock copolymer containing the complementary hydrogen bonding recognition pair ureidoguanosine-diaminonaphthyridine (UG-DAN) as pendant functional groups is synthesized using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The norbornene-based DAN monomer is shown to allow for a controlled polymerization when polymerized in the presence of a modified-UG molecule that serves as a protecting group, subsequently allowing for the fabrication of functionalized triblock copolymers. The self-assembly of the copolymers was characterized using dynamic light scattering and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the polymers self-assemble via complementary hydrogen bonding motifs even at low dilutions, indicating intramolecular interactions. A norbornene-based triblock copolymer functionalized with the complementary hydrogen bonding recognition pair ureidoguanosine-diaminonaphthyridine (UG-DAN) as pendant groups is described. Following a protection/deprotection methodology to synthesize triblock copolymers, their intramolecular self-assembly is investigated using NMR spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The described materials are a step toward the realization of single-chain folding of polymers into ordered architectures.