Editorial

Metal-Containing and Metallo-Supramolecular Polymers and Materials

Over the past couple of decades,

metal-containing polymers (metallo-

polymers) have gained considerable

interest for the creation of functional

soft materials with unique and

tunable properties. For this purpose,

supramolecular chemistry, as demon-

strated in Nature, is regarded as

the archetype showing the ordered

assembly of small molecules into

supramolecular structures and mate-

rials that are fundamental for human

survival. The reversibility, as well as

addressability, of these structures is

essential for self-assembly processes

that allow the systems to adapt to

changes in the environment. In the

case of non-covalent interactions,

metal-ligand coordination in organic

structures is attracting increasing

attention, since such systems can be

highly dynamic or highly inert.

In particular, in combination with

polymers, metallo-supramolecular

chemistry offers possibilities for the

construction of stimuli-responsive

polymericmaterials.Metallopolymers

also significantly expand the accessi-

ble property range of syntheticmacro-

molecules. Recent examples of appli-

cations include the use as sensors; in

memory devices; as magnetic, lumi-

Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2010, 31, 771

� 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinh

nescent andphotovoltaicmaterials; as

nanolithographic templates and as

stimuli responsive materials in

redox-tunable photonic crystals, con-

trolled-release capsules, and molecu-

larmotors. Further (potential) applica-

tion fields include catalysis, such as

artificial metalloenzymes and self-

healing materials. In addition to the

preparationof suitablebuildingblocks

and polymers, their detailed charac-

terization and theoretical understand-

ing representmajor targets for current

research activities.

This issue of Macromolecular Rapid

Communications bundles some recent

contributions in the field of metallo-

polymersandmetallo-supramolecular

architectures to further stimulate the

development of this highly dynamic

field (please also note the related full

paper publications in Macromol.

Chem. Phys.). The publications cover

awide scope of research interests from

theoretical simulations through to

sophisticated synthetic routes and

highly structured systems, including

detailed characterization studies. A

wide range of transition metal ions

and metallo-organic moieties, such as

ruthenium, iridium, platinum as well

as ferrocenes and boranes have been

eim

combined with different polymer

architectures, like linear homopoly-

mers, statistical copolymers, block

copolymers and star-shaped poly-

mers; even biopolymers have been

used as supramolecular building

blocks. The photophysical properties

are discussed in detail as well as the

self-assembly into highly ordered

nano- and mesostructures, such as

functional films, fiber-like micelles,

and nanotubes. Moreover, potential

applications in organic solar cells,

sensor devices as well as stimuli-

responsive materials are discussed.

We hope you enjoy reading this

issue!

Published online: April 21, 2010;DOI: 10.1002/marc.201000196

Stephanie Hornig

Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena,

Germany

Ian Manners

University of Bristol, UK

George R. Newkome

University of Akron, USA

Ulrich S. Schubert

Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena,

Germany

DOI: 10.1002/marc.201000196 771