Side chain polyrotaxanes are formed by host–guest interactions of polymer side chains with cyclic molecules that are interlocked by bulky stoppers.
There are mainly three types of side chain polyrotaxanes:
(1) Polyaxis/rotor: Comb-like polymers assembled with the cyclic molecules that are not interlocked on the side chain.
(2) Polyrotor/axis: polymers possess cyclic molecules on the side chain, which assemble with guest molecules to form polypseudorotaxanes.
(3) Polyrotor/polyaxis: polymers possess covalently bonded cyclic molecule-moieties assembled with polymers possess guested in the side chain.
Similar to the synthesis routes to main chain polyrotaxanes, there are mainly six approaches to side chain polyrotaxane.
(1) Ring-threading of performed graft polymer
(2) Ring-grafting
(3) Rotaxane-grafting
(4) Polymerization of macromonomer with rings
(5) Polymerization of rotaxane-monomer
(6) Chemical conversion
Similarly, the positions of chain and rings can be switched, which results in corresponding side-chain polyrotaxanes.