Dynamers: dynamic molecular and supramolecular polymers

Dynamers may be defined as constitutional dynamic polymers, i.e. polymeric entities whose monomeric components are linked through reversible connections and have therefore the capacity to modify their constitution by exchange and reshuffling of their components. They may be either of molecular or supramolecular nature depending on whether the connections are reversible covalent bonds or non-covalent interactions. They are formed, respectively, either by polycondensation with functional recognition or by polyassociation with interactional recognition between the connecting subunits. Both types are illustrated by specific examples implementing hydrogen bonding on one hand and acylhydrazone formation on the other. The dynamic properties confer to dynamers the ability to undergo adaptation and driven evolution under the effect of external chemical or physical triggers. Dynamers thus are constitutional dynamic materials resulting from the application of the principles of constitutional dynamic chemistry to polymer science. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.