Water-Soluble Supramolecular Polymer With Silver Ion Responsiveness

A method for constructing a water-soluble supramolecular polymer responsive to silver ion (Ag + ) is achieved through the host–guest interaction between γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and bis(phenyl ethenyl)pyridine guest monomer. Upon the addition of silver hexafluorophosphate (AgPF 6 ) into the solution of the supramolecular polymer, precipitates of silver bromide (AgBr) and bis(phenyl ethenyl)pyridine monomer-PF 6 were formed in the solution, leaving only the host molecule γ-CD. Therefore, the supramolecular polymer can be dissociated by AgPF 6 . Here, we provide a new strategy to fabricate water-soluble supramolecular polymer with metal ion responsiveness. This method is expected to be applied in aqueous environments, to enrich the field of supramolecular chemistry and to promote the development of advanced materials with excellent properties.