Metal‐Containing and Metallo‐Supramolecular Polymers and Materials

Over the past couple of decades, metal-containing polymers (metallopolymers) have gained considerable interest for the creation of functional soft materials with unique and tunable properties. For this purpose, supramolecular chemistry, as demonstrated in Nature, is regarded as the archetype showing the ordered assembly of small molecules into supramolecular structures and materials that are fundamental for human survival. The reversibility, as well as addressability, of these structures is essential for self-assembly processes that allow the systems to adapt to changes in the environment. In the case of non-covalent interactions, metal-ligand coordination in organic structures is attracting increasing attention, since such systems can be highly dynamic or highly inert. In particular, in combination with polymers, metallo-supramolecular chemistry offers possibilities for the construction of stimuli-responsive polymeric materials. Metallopolymers also significantly expand the accessible property range of synthetic macromolecules. Recent examples of applications include the use as sensors; in memory devices; as magnetic, luminescent and photovoltaic materials; as nanolithographic templates and as stimuli responsive materials in redox-tunable photonic crystals, controlled-release capsules, and molecular motors. Further (potential) application fields include catalysis, such as artificial metalloenzymes and self-healing materials. In addition to the preparation of suitable building blocks and polymers, their detailed characterization and theoretical understanding represent major targets for current research activities. This issue of Macromolecular Rapid Communications bundles some recent contributions in the field of metallo-polymers and metallo-supramolecular architectures to further stimulate the development of this highly dynamic field (please also note the related full paper publications in Macromol. Chem. Phys.). The publications cover a wide scope of research interests from theoretical simulations through to sophisticated synthetic routes and highly structured systems, including detailed characterization studies. A wide range of transition metal ions and metallo-organic moieties, such as ruthenium, iridium, platinum as well as ferrocenes and boranes have been combined with different polymer architectures, like linear homopolymers, statistical copolymers, block copolymers and star-shaped polymers; even biopolymers have been used as supramolecular building blocks. The photophysical properties are discussed in detail as well as the self-assembly into highly ordered nano- and mesostructures, such as functional films, fiber-like micelles, and nanotubes. Moreover, potential applications in organic solar cells, sensor devices as well as stimuli-responsive materials are discussed. We hope you enjoy reading this issue!