NOVEL ARCHITECTURES OF MACROMOLECULAR SYSTEMS

An important thrust in modern macromolecular chemistry is to construct complex architectures either directly from monomer units, or to desig n macromolecules capable of forming a desired superstructure by self-o rganization. Chain-rigidity is an example of a structural principle le ading to self organization depending on the aspect ratio of the molecu lar objects and their mutual interactions. These molecularly defined o bjects serve as the building blocks of systems for which ultrathin lay ers composed of hairy rod macromolecules (HRM) are an example. Dependi ng on architectural details layered architectures of HRM are models fo r molecular nanocomposites, exhibit interesting optical, electrochemic al, dielectric or barrier properties. They are also designed to be use d in devices the performance of which depends on molecular interaction s. Thus, the design of novel macromolecules comprises the design of su pramolecular architectures and functions based on architectural princi ples from the very beginning. A systems approach is emphasized as part of the synthetic strategy.