Assembly via Hydrogen Bonds of Low Molar Mass Compounds into Supramolecular Polymers

Supramolecular polymers are linear chains of low molar mass monomers held together by reversible andhighly directional non-covalent interactions. In suitable experimental conditions, they can display polymer-likerheological or mechanical properties, because of their macromolecular architecture. However, the fact thatnon-covalent interactions are involved means that the assembly can be reversibly broken and can be underthermodynamic equilibrium. This reversibility brings additional features compared to usual polymers, whichpotentially lead to new properties, such as improved processing, self-healing behavior or stimuli responsiveness.The present chapter focuses first on particular examples where macroscopic properties of HBSPs are clearlydemonstrated, and then on the numerous engineering options explored so far to obtain functional materials.Finally, because the obtained properties depend strongly on the molar mass of the supramolecular polymerin the conditions of use, the last part describes the techniques available to characterize the molar massof supramolecular polymers.