Organic Heterostructures via Sequence Controlled Supramolecular Polymerization

Controlled supramolecular polymerization of functional monomers has emerged recently as an attractive bottom-up synthetic strategy for the construction of precision organic materials with controlled structure and composition. The next level of structural control required would be the synthesis of multi-component supramolecular polymers with predictive sequence and microstructure for various applications. This talk describes our preliminary efforts in constructing, axial organic heterostructures (multi-component supramolecular block co-polymers) via kinetically and thermodynamically controlled supramolecular Polymerization. These unique multi-component, nanostructures made from semi-conducting monomers are organic analogues of well-studied inorganic heterostructures and would be of potential use in light harvesting and as nanoscale linear p-n junctions.