Engineering Functionalization in a Supramolecular Polymer: Hierarchical Self-Organization of Triply Orthogonal Non-covalent Interactions on a Supramolecular Coordination Complex Platform

Mechanisms of Diffusion in Associative Polymer Networks: Evidence for Chain Hopping

Networks assembled by reversible association of telechelic polymers constitute a common class of soft materials. Various mechanisms of chain migration in associative networks have been proposed; yet there remains little quantitative experimental data to discriminate among them. Proposed mechanisms for chain migration include multichain aggregate diffusion as well as single-chain mechanisms such as "walking" and "hopping", wherein diffusion is achieved by either partial ("walking") or complete ("hopping") disengagement of the associated chain segments. Here, we provide evidence that hopping can dominate the effective diffusion of chains in associative networks due to a strong entropic penalty for bridge formation imposed by local network structure; chains become conformationally restricted upon association with two or more spatially separated binding sites. This restriction decreases the effective binding strength of chains with multiple associative domains, thereby increasing the probability that a chain will hop. For telechelic chains this manifests as binding asymmetry, wherein the first association is effectively stronger than the second. We derive a simple thermodynamic model that predicts the fraction of chains that are free to hop as a function of tunable molecular and network properties. A large set of self-diffusivity measurements on a series of model associative polymers finds good agreement with this model.

Vertical Assembly of Giant Double- and Triple-Decker Spoked Wheel Supramolecular Structures

The double- or triple-decker 3D metallo-hexagons were obtained by self-assembly of multitopic tris-terpyridines with Cd2+ ions in near-quantitative yield. Comprising up to 72 ionic pairs, the multiple spoked wheels display characteristic reversible gelation properties under thermodynamic conditions. The supramolecular metallo-nanoarchitectures were characterized by 1 H NMR, 2D NMR (COSY and NOESY), and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and HR-ESI-MS, traveling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS), TEM, and AFM. For the first time, the self-assembly of 45 units at once was demonstrated to yield exceptional giant triple-decker hexagons of up to circa 42 000 Da.

Hierarchical Assemblies of Supramolecular Coordination Complexes

Hierarchical self-assembly (HAS) is a multilevel organization process that first assembles elementary molecular units into ordered secondary structures via noncovalent interactions, which further act as the building blocks to form more complex multifunctional superstructures at the next level(s). The HAS strategy has been used as a versatile method for the preparation of soft-matter nanoarchitectures of defined size and morphologies, tunable luminescence, and biological importance. However, such preparation can be greatly simplified if well-defined dynamic structures are employed as the cores that upon linking form the desired nanoarchitectures. Discrete supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs) with well-defined shapes, sizes, and internal cavities have been widely employed to construct hierarchical systems with functional diversity. This Account summarizes the prevailing strategies used in recent years in the preparation of SCC-based HASs and illustrates how the combination of dynamic metal-ligand coordination with other interactions was used to obtain hierarchical systems with interesting properties. HASs with dual orthogonal interactions involving coordination-driven self-assembly and hydrogen bonding/host-guest interaction generally result in robust and flexible supramolecular gels. Likewise, hybridization of SCCs with a suitable dynamic covalent network via a hierarchical strategy is useful to prepare materials with self-healing properties. The intrinsic positive charges of the SCCs also make them suitable precursors for the construction of HASs via electrostatic interactions with negatively charged biological/abiological molecules. Furthermore, the interplay between the hydrophilic and lipophilic characters of HASs by varying the number and spacial orientation of alkyl/oxyethylene chains of the SCC is a simple yet controllable approach to prepare ordered and tunable nanostructures. Certain SCC-cored hierarchical systems exhibit reversible polymorphism, typically between micellar, nanofiber, and vesicular phases, in response to various external perturbations: heat, photoirradiation, pH-variance, redox-active agents, etc. At the same time, multiple noncovalent interaction mediated HASs are growing in numbers and are promising candidates for obtaining functionally diverse materials. The photophysical properties of SCC-based HASs have been used in many analytical applications. For example, embedding tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based pyridyl ligands within metallo-supramolecular structures partially restricts the molecular rotations of its phenyl rings, endowing the resultant SCCs with weak emissions. Further aggregation of such HASs in suitable solvents results in a marked enhancement in emission intensity along with quantum yields. They act as sensitive sensors for different analytes, including pathogens, drugs, etc. HASs are also useful to develop multidrug systems with cooperative chemotherapeutic effects. Hence, the use of HASs with theranostic SCCs combining cell-imaging agents and chemotherapeutic scaffolds is a promising drug delivery strategy for cancer theranostics. At the same time, their responsiveness to stimuli, oftentimes due to the dynamic nature of the metal-ligand interactions, play an important role in drug release via a disassembly mechanism.

A self-assembled photoresponsive gel consisting of chiral nanofibers

A novel compound based on a glutamic acid skeleton, containing azobenzene as a photoresponsive group and ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) as a connection site, was designed and synthesized. The monomer is capable of forming an organogel in nonpolar organic solvents and different types of nanostructures in other solvents. The state of the gel and the chirality of the nanostructures could both be adjusted by subsequent light irradiation at different wavelengths. The helical nanofiber-like morphology was verified in the internal structure of the gel. The performance of this gel was investigated by a series of methods, such as UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism, scanning electron microscopy and rheological techniques. This work provides a new method for facile synthesis of chiro-optical gels.

Temperature-Responsive Fluorescent Organoplatinum(II) Metallacycles

The synthesis, characterization, and temperature-responsive properties of two fluorescent organoplatinum(II) metallacycles are reported. Metallacycles M1 and M2 were prepared via the coordination-driven self-assembly of a 120° triarylamine ligand L1 and a 120° diplatinum(II) acceptor Pt-1 or 180° diplatinum(II) acceptor Pt-2, respectively. M1 and M2 are hexagonal metallacycles, comprising of three or six freely rotating anthracene pendants on their periphery, respectively. In response to the temperature variation between -20 and 60 °C, the ligand displays irregular emission changes, whereas both metallacycles show reversible absorption and emission spectral changes in THF. The changes in their green emission intensity also exhibit a linear correlation with the temperature variation, with an average sensitivity of -0.67% and -0.77% per °C for M1 and M2, respectively. Furthermore, in coordinating solvents, such as DMF and CH3CN, M1 and M2 show different behaviors: in the lower temperature range, i.e., below 30 °C, their spectral changes are similar to those observed in THF; however, at a higher temperature the metallacycles were presumably destroyed by the solvents and displayed ratiometric fluorescent responses, including a cyan emission of the ligand L1.

Fluorescent Metallacage-Core Supramolecular Polymer Gel Formed by Orthogonal Metal Coordination and Host-Guest Interactions

Herein, we report the preparation of a multifunctional metallacage-core supramolecular gel by orthogonal metal coordination and host-guest interactions. A tetragonal prismatic cage with four appended 21-crown-7 (21C7) moieties in its pillar parts was first prepared via the metal-coordination-driven self-assembly of cis-Pt(PEt3)2(OTf)2, tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based sodium benzoate ligands and linear dipyridyl ligands. Further addition of a bisammonium linker to the cage delivered a supramolecular polymer network via the host-guest interactions between the 21C7 moieties and ammonium salts, which formed a supramolecular gel at relatively higher concentrations. Due to the incorporation of a TPE derivative as the fluorophore, the gel shows emission properties. Multiple stimuli responsiveness and good self-healing properties were also observed because of the dynamic metal coordination and host-guest interactions used to stabilize the whole network structure. Moreover, the storage and loss moduli of the gel are 10-fold those of the gel without the metallacage cores, indicating that the rigid metallacage plays a significant role in enhancing the stiffness of the gel. The studies described herein not only enrich the functionalization of fluorescent metallacages via elegant ligand design but also provide a way to prepare stimuli-responsive and self-healing supramolecular gels as robust and smart materials.

Spontaneously Self-Assembled Naphthalimide Nanosheets: Aggregation-Induced Emission and Unveiling a-PET for Sensitive Detection of Organic Volatile Contaminants in Water

A simple design strategy of long alkyl chain substitution was formulated to block the detrimental π-π interaction that potentially transforms the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) chromophores into aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active smart nanomaterials. The long octadecyl pendant chain substituted naphthalimide (NI) derivatives self-assembled into fluorescent nanosheets (NS)-like structures that spontaneously have surfaces coated with NI cores in water. The fluorescent NS were subsequently used to recognize the organic volatile contaminants (OVCs) at ppb levels via an acceptor-excited photoinduced electron transfer (a-PET) mechanism, unveiled as the first representative example. A new design strategy is thereby provided to detect toxic xylene derivatives in water using smart nanomaterials.

A new copper(II) supramolecular coordination polymer and a dinuclear compound with multifunctional 2-amino-5-sulfobenzoic acid and flexible N-donor ligands: synthesis, structure and characterization

Multifunctional 2-amino-5-sulfobenzoic acid (H2afsb) can exhibit a variety of roles during the construction of supramolecular coordination polymers. The pendant carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid and amino groups could not only play a role in directing bonding but could also have the potential to act as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, resulting in extended high-dimensional supramolecular networks. Two new CuIIcoordination compounds, namelycatena-poly[[[diaquacopper(II)]-μ-1,6-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexane-κ2N4:N4′] bis(3-amino-4-carboxybenzenesulfonate) dihydrate], {[Cu(C10H16N6)2(H2O)2](C7H6NO5S)2·2H2O}nor {[Cu(bth)2(H2O)2](Hafsb)2·2H2O}n, (1), and bis(μ-2-amino-5-sulfonatobenzoato-κ2O1:O1′)bis{μ-1,2-bis[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene-κ2N3:N3′}bis[aquacopper(II)] trihydrate, [Cu2(C7H5NO5S)2(C14H14N4)2(H2O)2]·3H2O or [Cu2(afsb)2(obix)2(H2O)2]·3H2O, (2), have been obtained through the assembly between H2afsb and the CuIIion in the presence of the flexible N-donor ligands 1,6-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexane (bth) and 1,2-bis[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene (obix), respectively. Compound (1) consists of a cationic coordination polymeric chain and 3-amino-4-carboxybenzenesulfonate (Hafsb−) anions. Compound (2) exhibits an asymmetric dinuclear structure. There are hydrogen-bonded networks within the lattices of (1) and (2). Interestingly, both (1) and (2) exhibit reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour.

Quantitative Analysis of the Self-Assembly Process of Hexagonal PtII Macrocyclic Complexes: Effect of the Solvent and the Components

The self-assembly process of three Pt^II -linked hexagonal macrocycles consisting of dinuclear Pt^II complexes and organic ditopic ligands was investigated in polar and less polar solvents by a recently developed approach: quantitative analysis of the self-assembly process (QASAP). In polar CD₃ NO₂ , for all the three macrocycles, an ML₂ complex was the dominant intermediate during self-assembly, as a result of high positive allosteric cooperativity for the ligand exchange on the Pt^II centers of the dinuclear Pt^II complexes. On the other hand, in less polar CD₂ Cl₂ , the self-assembly process was affected by the components. For two of the three macrocycles, the chainlike oligomers that contain fewer metals and ligands than the corresponding macrocycles grew with time and the type of the chainlike intermediates formed correlated with the allostericity of the two binding sites in the organic ditopic ligands. In every case, no long oligomers containing more components than the macrocycles themselves were produced during the self-assembly even though free rotation around single bonds in the chainlike oligomers allows them to adopt various conformations that do not facilitate the cyclization. This result suggests that electrostatic and/or steric factors besides rigidity of the components make the cyclization advantageous not only thermodynamically but also kinetically.

Photoresponsive supramolecular polymers based on quadruple hydrogen-bonding and a photochromic azobenzene motif

A photoresponsive quadruple hydrogen-bonded supramolecular polymer was constructed using photochromic azobenzene and ureidopyrimidinone motifs.

Pseudorotaxanes in the gas phase: structure and energetics of protonated dibenzylamine–crown ether complexes

Barrier in the “slippage” process with 24C8 and dBAMH⁺ is lower than the dissociation threshold in the gas phase.

Coordination-driven fast self-assembly of a charge-transfer hydrogel with reversible photochromism

Highly selective coordination-driven self-assembly of charge transfer hydrogel was obtained by simply mixing two-phase solution, once be irradiated by simulated sun light, will generate organic radicals in gel state, displaying reversible photochromism.

Molecular Recognition in the Colloidal World

Colloidal self-assembly is a bottom-up technique to fabricate functional nanomaterials, with paramount interest stemming from programmable assembly of smaller building blocks into dynamic crystalline domains and photonic materials. Multiple established colloidal platforms feature diverse shapes and bonding interactions, while achieving specific orientations along with short- and long-range order. A major impediment to their universal use as building blocks for predesigned architectures is the inability to precisely dictate and control particle functionalization and concomitant reversible self-assembly. Progress in colloidal self-assembly necessitates the development of strategies that endow bonding specificity and directionality within assemblies. Methodologies that emulate molecular and polymeric three-dimensional (3D) architectures feature elements of covalent bonding, while high-fidelity molecular recognition events have been installed to realize responsive reconfigurable assemblies. The emergence of anisotropic 'colloidal molecules', coupled with the ability to site-specifically decorate particle surfaces with supramolecular recognition motifs, has facilitated the formation of superstructures via directional interactions and shape recognition. In this Account, we describe supramolecular assembly routes to drive colloidal particles into precisely assembled architectures or crystalline lattices via directional noncovalent molecular interactions. The design principles are based upon the fabrication of colloidal particles bearing surface-exposed functional groups that can undergo programmable conjugation to install recognition motifs with high fidelity. Modular and versatile by design, our strategy allows for the introduction and integration of molecular recognition principles into the colloidal world. We define noncovalent molecular interactions as site-specific forces that are predictable (i.e., feature selective and controllable complementary bonding partners) and can engage in tunable high-fidelity interactions. Examples include metal coordination and host-guest interactions as well as hydrogen bonding and DNA hybridization. On the colloidal scale, these interactions can be used to drive the reversible formation of open structures. Key to the design is the ability to covalently conjugate supramolecular motifs onto the particle surface and/or noncovalently associate with small molecules that can mediate and direct assembly. Efforts exploiting the binding strength inherent to DNA hybridization for the preparation of reversible open-packed structures are then detailed. We describe strategies that led to the introduction of dual-responsive DNA-mediated orthogonal assembly as well as colloidal clusters that afford distinct DNA-ligated close-packed lattices. Further focus is placed on two essential and related efforts: the engineering of complex superstructures that undergo phase transitions and colloidal crystals featuring a high density of functional anchors that aid in crystallization. The design principles discussed in this Account highlight the synergy stemming from coupling well-established noncovalent interactions common on the molecular and polymeric length scales with colloidal platforms to engineer reconfigurable functional architectures by design. Directional strategies and methods such as those illustrated herein feature molecular control and dynamic assembly that afford both open-packed 1D and 2D lattices and are amenable to 3D colloidal frameworks. Multiple methods to direct colloidal assembly have been reported, yet few are capable of crystallizing 2D and 3D architectures of interest for optical data storage, electronics, and photonics. Indeed, early implications are that [supra]molecular control over colloidal assembly can fabricate rationally structured designer materials from simple fundamental building blocks.

Ionization and Anion-π+ Interaction: A New Strategy for Structural Design of Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens

Recent years have witnessed the significant role of anion-π⁺ interactions in many areas, which potentially brings the opportunity for the development of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) systems. Here, a new strategy that utilized anion-π⁺ interactions to block detrimental π-π stacking was first proposed to develop inherent-charged AIE systems. Two AIE-active luminogens, namely, 1,2,3,4-tetraphenyloxazolium (TPO-P) and 2,3,5-triphenyloxazolium (TriPO-PN), were successfully synthesized. Comprehensive techniques such as single-crystal analysis, theoretical calculation, and conductivity measurement were used to illustrate the effects of anion-π⁺ interactions on the AIE feature. Their analogues tetraphenylfuran (TPF) and 2,4,5-triphenyloxazole (TriPO-C) without anion-π⁺ interactions suffered from the aggregation-caused emission quenching in the aggregate state, demonstrating the important role of anion-π⁺ interactions in suppressing π-π stacking. TriPO-PN was biocompatible and could specifically target lysosome in fluorescence turn-on and wash-free manners. This suggested that it was a promising contrast agent for bioimaging.

Near-Infrared Emissive Discrete Platinum(II) Metallacycles: Synthesis and Application in Ammonia Detection

Two novel discrete organoplatinum(II) metallacycles are prepared by means of coordination-driven self-assembly of a 90° organoplatinum(II) acceptor, cis-(PEt3)2Pt(OTf)2, with two donors, a pyridyl donor, 9,10-di(4-pyridylvinyl)anthracene, and one of two dicarboxylate ligands. Both metallacycles display aggregation-induced emission as well as solvatochromism. More interestingly, both metallacycles exhibit near-infrared fluorescent emission in the solid state and can be used to detect ammonia gas.

Anion-directed assembly of lanthanide coordination polymers with SMMs properties based on a dihydrazone ligand

Four new Ln(III)-based coordination polymers (CPs), [Eu(HL)Cl2(DMF)2]·(H2L) (1), [Dy(HL)Cl2(DMF)2]·(H2L) (2), [Er(HL)Cl2(DMF)(CH3OH)]·(DMF) (3) and [Yb(HL)Cl2(DMF)(H2O)]·(DMF) (4) (H2L=2,6-bis[(3-methoxysalicylidene)hydrazinocarbonyl]pyridine) have been synthesized through the reaction of Ln(III) chloride and H2L by using the vapour diffusion method. Interestingly, Cl− as a template agent plays a vital role in the formation of the target complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that 1 and 2 are isostructural and crystallize in triclinic space group P1̅, while complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural and crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/c. Variable temperature magnetization measurement (χ M T–T) demonstrates possible antiferromagnetic interactions in complex 2. Alternating-current (ac) susceptibility measurement furthermore indicated frequency dependence for both the in-phase (χ′) and out-of-phase (χ″) components in 2, suggesting that there is a slow relaxation behavior of the magnetization, which is typical of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). This is the first time that Ln(III) CPs based on such a dihydrazone ligand has been reported so far.

Reversible manipulation of the G-quadruplex structures and enzymatic reactions through supramolecular host-guest interactions

Supramolecular chemistry addresses intermolecular forces and consequently promises great flexibility and precision. Biological systems are often the inspirations for supramolecular research. The G-quadruplex (G4) belongs to one of the most important secondary structures in nucleic acids. Until recently, the supramolecular manipulation of the G4 has not been reported. The present study is the first to disclose a supramolecular switch for the reversible control of human telomere G4s. Moreover, this supramolecular switch has been successfully used to manipulate an enzymatic reaction. Using various methods, we show that cucurbit[7]uril preferably locks and encapsulates the positively charged piperidines of Razo through supramolecular interactions. They can switch the conformations of the DNA inhibitor between a flexible state and the rigid G4 and are therefore responsible for the reversible control of the thrombin activity. Thus, our findings open a promising route and exhibit potential applications in future studies of chemical biology.

Highly Flexible and Conductive Cellulose-Mediated PEDOT:PSS/MWCNT Composite Films for Supercapacitor Electrodes

Recent improvements in flexible electronics have increased the need to develop flexible and lightweight power sources. However, current flexible electrodes are limited by low capacitance, poor mechanical properties, and lack of cycling stability. In this article, we describe an ionic liquid-processed supramolecular assembly of cellulose and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene for the formation of a flexible and conductive cellulose/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT:poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) composite matrix. On this base, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated into the matrix to fabricate an MWCNT-reinforced cellulose/PEDOT:PSS film (MCPP), which exhibited favorable flexibility and conductivity. The MCPP-based electrode displayed comprehensively excellent electrochemical properties, such as a low resistance of 0.45 Ω, a high specific capacitance of 485 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1, and good cycling stability, with a capacity retention of 95% after 2000 cycles at 2 A g^-1. An MCPP-based symmetric solid-state supercapacitor with Ni foam as the current collector and PVA/KOH gel as the electrolyte exhibited a specific capacitance of 380 F g^-1 at 0.25 A g^-1 and achieved a maximum energy density of 13.2 Wh kg^-1 (0.25 A g^-1) with a power density of 0.126 kW kg^-1 or an energy density of 4.86 Wh kg^-1 at 10 A g^-1, corresponding to a high power density of 4.99 kW kg^-1. Another kind of MCPP-based solid-state supercapacitor without the Ni foam showed excellent flexibility and a high volumetric capacitance of 50.4 F cm^-3 at 0.05 A cm^-3. Both the electrodes and the supercapacitors were environmentally stable and could be operated under remarkable deformation or high temperature without damage to their structural integrity or a significant decrease in capacitive performance. Overall, this work provides a strategy for the fabrication of flexible and conductive energy-storage films with ionic liquid-processed cellulose as a medium.

Metallacycle-cored supramolecular assemblies with tunable fluorescence including white-light emission

Control over the fluorescence of supramolecular assemblies is crucial for the development of chemosensors and light-emitting materials. Consequently, the postsynthetic modification of supramolecular structures via host-guest interactions has emerged as an efficient strategy in recent years that allows the facile tuning of the photophysical properties without requiring a tedious chemical synthesis. Herein, we used a phenanthrene-21-crown-7 (P21C7)-based 60° diplatinum(II) acceptor 8 in the construction of three exohedral P21C7 functionalized rhomboidal metallacycles 1-3 which display orange, cyan, and green emission colors, respectively. Although these colors originate from the dipyridyl precursors 10-12, containing triphenylamine-, tetraphenylethene-, and pyrene-based fluorophores, respectively, the metal-ligand coordination strongly influences their emission properties. The metallacycles were further linked into emissive supramolecular oligomers by the addition of a fluorescent bis-ammonium linker 4 that forms complementary host-guest interactions with the pendant P21C7 units. Notably, the final ensemble derived from a 1:1 mixture of 1 and 4 displays a concentration-dependent emission. At low concentration, i.e., <25 µM, it emits a blue color, whereas an orange emission was observed when the concentration exceeds >5 mM. Moreover, white-light emission was observed from the same sample at a concentration of 29 µM, representing a pathway to construct supramolecular assemblies with tunable fluorescence properties.

Tetracarboxylated Azobenzene/Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies as High-Performance Multiresponsive Actuators

Multistimuli-responsive polymers are materials of emerging interest but synthetically challenging. In this work, supramolecular assembly was employed as a facile and effective approach for constructing 3,3',5,5'-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid (H₄abtc)/poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) supramolecules. Structural transformations of H₄abtc can be induced by light, mechanical force, and heat and influenced by free volume. Thus, the fabricated free-standing H₄abtc/PDAC film underwent bending/unbending movements upon treatment with light, humidity, or temperature, as asymmetric structural transformations on either side of the film generated asymmetric contraction/stretching forces. Fast rates of shape recovery were achieved for the film on exposure to gently flowing humid nitrogen. The bending/unbending motions are controllable, reversible, and repeatable. Hence, this light-, humido-, and thermo-responsive film has great potential in device applications for advanced functions.

Bioinspired ultrasound-responsive fluorescent metal–ligand cross-linked polymer assemblies

We proposed a general strategy to construct bioinspired ultrasound-responsive fluorescent metal–ligand cross-linked polymer assemblies.

Supramolecular polymers based on a pillar[5]arene-fused cryptand: design, fabrication and degradation accompanied by a fluorescence change

Novel supramolecular polymers based on a pillar[5]arene-fused cryptand have been constructed easily and conveniently, in which three orthogonal interactions were combined together.

Neutral linear supramolecular polymers constructed by three different interactions

Neutral linear supramolecular polymers were constructed by the combination of quadruple hydrogen bonding, pillar[5]arene-based molecular recognition and π–π donor–acceptor interactions.

Gelation of Luminescent Supramolecular Cages and Transformation to Crystals with Trace-Doped-Enhancement Luminescence

Supramolecular gels with hierarchical order and complexity have been assembled. The gels contain well-defined Ag₄L₂ luminescent supramolecular cages as cores, which are cross-linked via Ag-P coordination bonding. The resulting gels are highly luminescent and exhibit rich stimuli-responsive behaviors toward mechanical and chemical (nitroexplosive and anions) stimuli. The gels could be transformed to highly luminescent crystal materials upon addition of halogen anions, in which only traces of lumiphor are accommodated in a host crystal matrix.

Immobilizing Tetraphenylethylene into Fused Metallacycles: Shape Effects on Fluorescence Emission

Herein, we describe the selective formation of a discrete fused metallarhomboid and a triangle by the careful control of the shape and stoichiometry of the building blocks. A tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based tetrapyridyl donor is exploited as the bridging component, and coordination immobilization of the TPE unit within the rigid metallacyclic frameworks efficiently suppresses its intramolecular rotational motions. As a result, the fused polygons are innately emissive in dilute solution, representing an alternative to aggregation-induced emission. Upon further molecular aggregation, these metallacycles display aggregation-induced enhanced emissions. Interestingly, the fused rhomboid 7 shows a weaker fluorescence in dilute solutions relative to that of the fused triangle 8, while a reversal of emission intensities was observed in the aggregated state. These markedly different fluorescence efficiencies are likely due to the differences in the shapes of the fused polygons. Thus, this work shows that the properties of supramolecular coordination complexes can be affected by subtle structural factors, which can be controlled easily and precisely at the molecular level.