Surface‐Aided Supramolecular Polymerization: A Route to Controlled Nanoscale Assemblies

Molecules to order: Ditopic nucleobase end-capped monomers can self-assemble into nanopatterns at scales of <5 nm by surface-aided polymerization (see figure). By tuning the molecular design and utilizing hydrogen-bonding interactions and hydrophobic effects, the size of the patterns can be tailored at the (sub)nanometer scale. The surface is also used to promote supramolecular polymerization of the monomers, which utilize weakly interacting hydrogen-bonding motifs.