Hyperbranched aromatic-aliphatic polyester HBPE-BBA was synthesized by modifying the periphery of a second-generation hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) with benzimidazole (BBA) end groups. HBPE-BBA showed interesting self-assembly behaviors, and retained one-dimensional nano bead-on-string fibers and two-dimensional helical nanocoil morphologies in different solvents. The fluorescence results indicated that HBPE-BBA exhibited remarkable selectivity for Fe3+ and fused ring compounds.

The structurally controllable hyperbranched HBPE–CIDAs (HBPE modified with CIDA units) were synthesized by modifying the periphery of the second generation hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) with 1-cyanoindolizine-3-carboxylic acid (CIDA) groups via a one-pot synthesis. The structures and self-assembly behaviors of HBPE–CIDAs were established by combined studies of FFT-IR, NMR, TEM, SEM, AFM and XRD. Furthermore, host–guest recognition of HBPE–CIDAs was investigated by fluorescence studies. The results indicated that the HBPE–CIDA4 nanospindles have weaker response to various metal ions while having better selectivity to anthracene through π–π stacking interactions than the HBPE–CIDA1 nanospheres.

Herein, we reported the synthesis of hyperbranched aromatic–aliphatic co-polyester nanorods HBPE-CICA6 and HBPE-CICA2 by modifying the periphery of second generation hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) with 1-cyano-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (CICA) groups. Structures of the HBPE-CICAs were confirmed by combined studies of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The potential application of HBPE-CICAs in ion recognition was investigated; in particular, HBPE-CICA2 exhibited remarkable selectivity for Fe3+.