Cucurbituril‐Based Supramolecular Polymers for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Supramolecular polymers (SPs) have attracted broad interest because of their intriguing features and functions. Host-guest interactions often impart tunable physicochemical properties, reversible hierarchical organization, and stimuli-responsiveness to SPs for diverse biomedical applications. Characterized by strong but dynamic interactions with guest molecules, cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) has shown great potential as an important building block of various functional polymers for biomedical applications. In this Minireview, we summarize the most recent examples regarding the design, fabrication, and biomedical applications of CB[n]-based supramolecular polymers (CSPs), which are categorized as noncovalent and covalent CSPs according to the interactions between the CB[n] and polymer backbones. The design principles of CSPs and their unique advantages for biomedical applications, as well as the developmental trends and future perspectives of this cross-disciplinary area are also discussed.

Cooperative Supramolecular Polymerization of Triphenylamine bis‐Urea Macrocycles

“…[2] Such dynamic assembly leads to responsive functional materials with distinctive advantages such as self-healing and degradability. [3][4][5] These supramolecular materials have interesting applications [6][7][8] in areas as diverse as biology, [9][10][11][12][13] mechanical, [14][15][16] and electronics. [17][18][19] The development of strategies that enable control over the morphology, composition, and lengths of supramolecular polymers are of particular interest and include templation, end-capping, or selective supramolecular copolymerization methods.…”

Reliable and accurate prediction of basic pK$$_a$$ values in nitrogen compounds: the pK$$_a$$ shift in supramolecular systems as a case study

“…Recent research has focused on the phenomenon of supramolecular pK shift, which involves a significant shift in the pK value of nitrogenous compounds by forming supramolecular complexes with macrocyclic molecules such as cucurbiturils [ 7 , 8 , 14 , 59 , 64 , 95 ]. This phenomenon is crucial for designing and optimizing supramolecular systems, with far-reaching implications in materials science [ 92 , 98 ], catalysis [ 3 , 28 , 77 ] and the development of drugs and their delivery methods [ 26 , 31 , 37 , 49 , 75 ].…”

A pH-responsive supramolecular antibacterial agent based on host–guest chemistry

“…22 Cucurbit[7]urils (CB[7]) are macrocyclic host compounds that can encapsulate guest molecules with specific structures, which have significant implications for host–guest chemistry in biological applications, such as activation of antimicrobial polymers, sensors, imaging agents and drug delivery systems. 23–29 ADA–MA is a pH-responsive agent that exhibits good biocompatibility and low toxicity due to its unique amide bond. 30 Specifically, ADA–MA maintains structural stability in a neutral (pH 7.4) environment and releases low-toxicity ADA and maleic anhydride by breaking the amide bond in an acidic (pH 5.8) environment.…”