Self-Assembly Behavior of Bis(terpyridine) and Metallo-bis(terpyridine) Pluronics in Dilute Aqueous Solutions

Bis(terpyridine) and metallo-bis(terpyridine) Pluronics have been synthesized starting from commercially available P105 and P123 hydroxytelechelic Pluronics. The grafting of terpyridine ligands at the extremity of the Pluronic chains results in the further association of the Pluronic micelles in water. Increasing temperature decreases the solubility of the Pluronics, but also increases the solubility of the terpyridine groups. The addition of 0.5 equiv. nickel(II) ions compared to terpyridine groups induces the formation of bis(terpyridine) nickel(II) complexes and disrupts the initial hydrophobic terpyridine aggregates. In that case, formation of flower-like micelles in which the coronal chains form loops due to the terpyridine nickel(II) complexes is observed in the dilute regime