Multicomb polymeric supramolecules and their self-organization:Combination of coordination and ionic interactions

Several alkyl side chains are bonded to each polymeric repeat unit using both coordinated ligands and electrostatically bound counterions to directly control the interface curvature of the self-organized structures. 2,6-Bis(octylaminomethyl)pyridine is Zn-coordinated to poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) with dodecylbenzensulfonate (DBS) counterions, leading to multicomb polymeric supramolecules, poly[(4VP)Zn(2,6-bis(octylaminomethyl)-pyridine)(DBS)(2)]. Coordination is evidenced by infrared spectroscopy and visualized by quantum chemical calculations. The amorphous hexagonal self-organized structures are characterized using X-ray measurements.