Switchable Supramolecular Crosslinking of Cyclodextrin-Modified Hyperbranched Polyethylenimine via Anthraquinone Dyes

Two anthraquinone dyes, 5,8-di-N-adamantylamino-1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone (AQ-OH) and 1,4-di-N-adamantylaminoanthraquinone (AQ-H), are synthesized. The combination of AQ-OH and AQ-H with hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) bearing covalently attached β-cyclodextrin spontaneously formed host–guest complexes with hydrodynamic diameters of about 260 nm. Even enlarged structures of the trifunctional AQ-H were observed via DLS. Repeated measurements show that their assembly and disassembly is reversible with a critical point at 26 °C and therefore switchable via temperature. Also superstructures up to 100 μm were detected via TEM, cryo-TEM-, and SEM. Hence, a smart colored network of switchabl…