All-polythiophene diblock copolymers, comprising one unsheathed block and one fenced block, were synthesized through catalyst-transfer polycondensation. The unsheathed block self-assembles through π-π stacking, thereby inducing microphase separation. Consequently, we have succeeded in creating a microphase separation comprising an ensemble of stacked and isolated polythiophenes. This achievement could be extended to various unexplored applications as a result of the integration of the contrasting functions of the two blocks.

Far-from-equilibrium thermodynamic systems that are established as a consequence of coupled equilibria are the origin of the complex behavior of biological systems. Therefore, research in supramolecular chemistry has recently been shifting emphasis from a thermodynamic standpoint to a kinetic one; however, control over the complex kinetic processes is still in its infancy. Herein, we report our attempt to control the time evolution of supramolecular assembly in a process in which the supramolecular assembly transforms from a J-aggregate to an H-aggregate over time. The transformation proceeds through a delicate interplay of these two aggregation pathways. We have succeeded in modulating the energy landscape of the respective aggregates by a rational molecular design. On the basis of this understanding of the energy landscape, programming of the time evolution was achieved through adjusting the balance between the coupled equilibria.

All-polythiophene diblock copolymers, comprising one unsheathed block and one fenced block, were synthesized through catalyst-transfer polycondensation. The unsheathed block self-assembles through π-π stacking, thereby inducing microphase separation. Consequently, we have succeeded in creating a microphase separation comprising an ensemble of stacked and isolated polythiophenes. This achievement could be extended to various unexplored applications as a result of the integration of the contrasting functions of the two blocks.

We have recently reported a self-threading polythiophene as a new family of insulated molecular wires. Herein, we focused on the structure–property relationships of the unique three-dimensional architecture of the monomer. We have synthesized nine self-threading bithiophene monomers that have cyclic side-chains of different size and flexibility: i.e., 21-, 22-, 23-, 24-, 26-, and 30-membered rings composed of paraffinic, olefinic, or alkynic chains. To investigate their structure–property relationships, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, UV absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements were conducted. We found that cyclic side-chains define the movable range of the dihedral angle of the bithiophene backbone, thereby affecting its photophysical properties. Therefore, the ability to design a structure with atomic precision as described herein would lead to the fine-tuning of the electronic properties of insulated molecular wires.