A Unique Stimuli-Responsive Reversible Hierarchical Spherical to Twisted-Rod-Shape Organization from Fluorescein-Derived Polynorbornene Copolymers

Inspired by the combination of self-organization and complex function natural macromolecules demonstrate, synthetic polymers, which aimed to capture similar complexity but in a simpler system, are prepared. Here, we have hypothesized to detect the presence of hypochlorite using a unique polymeric system that not only senses the presence of hypochlorite but also reversibly assembles spherical to fascinating twisted-rod-like structures. The observed phenomenon can be applied as self-repairing polymer templates that prevent DNA damage due to the excessive accumulation of hypochlorite. To our knowledge, this work is the first example where a polymer-based sensor can not only detect hypochlorite but also induce an effect inside the cell to prevent cell damage. Furthermore, learning to build and organize polymeric aggregates from synthetic systems has important implications for designing new materials with similar complexity to that seen in biological macromolecules.