Solid-state end-capping of pseudopolyrotaxane possessing hydroxy-terminated axle to polyrotaxane and its application to the synthesis of a functionalized polyrotaxane capable of yielding a polyrotaxane network

The synthesis of polyrotaxane by end-capping of pseudopolyrotaxanes along with its application to synthesis of polyrotaxane capable of yielding polyrotaxane network, was analyzed. The pseudopolyrotaxane under investigation comprised of permethylated α-cyclodextrin (PMαCD) and poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF). The coverage ratio of the PTHF chain by PMαCD was observed to be about 107%. The applicability of the solid-state polyrotaxane synthesis was demonstrated by the preparation of a functionalized polyrotaxane. The results show that end-capping of the pseudorotaxane with the hydroxy-terminated axle can be accomplished solid-state reaction to yield polyrotaxane with a high content of wheel component.