Living supramolecular polymerization

In contrast to conventional polymer chemistry, an important challenge in realizing living polymerization still remains in the field of supramolecular polymer chemistry. Herein, we briefly discuss the possibility of living supramolecular polymerization based on the supramolecular polymerization mechanisms: i.e., isodesmic and cooperative models. On the basis of this consideration, we present the first reported living supramolecular polymerization that we have recently achieved. Considering the tremendous contribution of living polymerization techniques to conventional polymer science so far, our finding should be a significant step forward toward the further development of supramolecular polymer chemistry.