Preparation of a mechanically interlocked polymer from a linear supramolecular polymer

A novel supramolecular polymer based on the pillar[5]arene/alkyl-1,2,3-triazole recognition motif and a suitable light responsive azobenzene stopper has been constructed. We found that the formation of the supramolecular polymer based ontrans-1is highly dependent on the monomer concentration. Moreover, by the irradiation of a high concentration solution oftrans-1at 365 nm, we successfully transformed this linear supramolecular polymer into a mechanically interlocked polymer composed ofcis-1by photoisomerization.