Shao Li

Dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) have received significant interest over the past decade. These are covalent bonds, which are capable of exchanging, or switching between several molecules. Particular focus has recently been on utilizing these DCBs in polymeric materials. Introduction of DCBs into a polymer material provides it with powerful properties including self‐healing ability, shape memory properties, increased toughness, ability to relax stresses as well as to change from one macromolecular architecture to another, among other characteristics. This minireview summarizes commonly used powerful DCBs, focusing on simple and often “click” reactions, and highlights the powerful materials that can result from these bonds. Challenges and potential future developments are also discussed in this minireview.

Packaged and delivered: Water‐soluble molecular capsules consisting of V‐shaped amphiphiles were designed for the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PAHs were released from the molecular containers in 0.1 m H₂SO₄ at an electrochemical interface, thus enabling the facile preparation of 2D PAH adlayers on an Au surface with controlled nanostructure formation (see picture).

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are excellent building blocks for the creation of two‐dimensional (2D) nanosheets. However, large PAHs tend to exhibit poor or no solubility in organic solvents and water. To overcome this issue, we employed water‐soluble micellar capsules consisting of V‐shaped amphiphilic molecules. Characteristic electrochemical behavior was observed in 0.1 m H₂SO₄ in the presence of the water‐soluble capsules containing PAHs, such as ovalene, circobiphenyl, and dicoronylene. Furthermore, under these conditions, PAHs were released from the capsules, resulting in the formation of a 2D adlayer of PAHs at the electrochemical interface. Finally, using electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, we demonstrate that our molecular containers based on water‐soluble molecular capsules allow the facile preparation of 2D PAH adlayers in addition to structurally controlling nanostructure formation on Au surfaces.