Large aggregates, constructed by linking together monomer building blocks via non-covalent interactions with polymer properties, are regarded as supramolecular polymers. Many kinds of non-covalent interactions, such as metal–ligand coordination, hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, ionic interaction, and host–guest interaction etc., can be involved in the binding interactions of monomer building blocks, as well as in the modification of the side chain for the construction of variable supramolecular polymers. In this tutorial review, we summarized the reported supramolecular polymers fully- or partially-created from the combination of multiple non-covalent binding interactions, mainly of two kinds, in the orthogonal way.

Functional materials play a vital role in the fabrication of smart windows, which can provide a more comfortable indoor environment for humans to enjoy a better lifestyle. Traditional materials for smart windows tend to possess only a single functionality with the purpose of regulating the input of solar energy. However, different color tones also have great influences on human emotions. Herein, a strategy for orthogonal integration of different properties is proposed, namely the thermo-responsiveness of ethylene glycol-modified pillar[6]arene (EGP6) and the redox-induced reversible color switching of ferrocene/ferrocenium groups are orthogonally integrated into one system. This gives rise to a material with cooperative and non-interfering dual functions, featuring both thermochromism and warm/cool tone-switchability. Consequently, the obtained bifunctional material for fabricating smart windows can not only regulate the input of solar energy but also can provide a more comfortable color tone to improve the feelings and emotions of people in indoor environments.

Ureidopyrimidinone functionalized pillar[5]arene (UPyP5) was synthesized and employed to complex with a bisparaquat derivative (G) to form supramolecular polymers at relatively high concentration. The orthogonal binding interactions including quadruple hydrogen bonding and host–guest interaction should play vital roles in the construction of this linear assembly.