Synthesis of stimuli-responsive pillararene-based supramolecular polymer materials for the detection and separation of metal ions

A stimuli-responsive supramolecular polymer network (G-(CN)2 subset of BXDSP5) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties has been efficiently constructed by host-guest interactions between pil-lar[5]arene derivative BXDSP5 and a homoditopic guest G-(CN)2, which shows not only excellent fluo-rescence properties due to the AIE effect but also desirable ion-sensing abilities in both solution and solid states, holding great potential in the applicable fluorescence detection for Fe3 +. The resultant G-(CN)2 subset of BXDSP5 can be transformed into supramolecular polymer gel at high concentration via mul-tiple noncovalent interactions, showing multi-stimuli-responsiveness in response to temperature change, mechanical force, and competitive agent. Meanwhile, the xerogel of supramolecular polymer material has been successfully used to remove Fe3 + from water with high adsorption efficiency. In addition, an ion-responsive film based on supramolecular polymer has also been developed, which can serve as a practical and convenient fluorescence test kit for detecting Fe3 +.(c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.