Preprogrammed assembly of supramolecular polymer networks via the controlled disassembly of a metastable rotaxane

Abstract

Preassembled materials are ubiquitous in our everyday life due to their readiness and functionality; an end-user simply follows instructions to assemble them and harness function. Here, metastable rotaxanes are utilized to approach preassembled materials: a multicomponent, preprogrammed system can be conveniently (via heating) transformed into colorful polymer networks at the end-user’s will.