Self-Assembly of Conjugated Units Using Metal-Terpyridine Coordination

Due to their inherently dynamic natures and fascinating photoluminescent/photoelectronic properties, coordination compounds of metal ions and conjugated terpyridine ligands have attracted considerable attention as functional materials for a variety of potential applications. In this feature article, a summary of recent work toward the development of one- (1D), two- (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular polymers, networks, and metallomacrocycles based on zinc metal ion coordination of conjugated units bearing terpyridine ligands is presented, and it is shown how it fits within the overall framework of work in this field. Here, a sequential study from terpyridines as basic building blocks to their zinc-coordinated supramolecular 1D polymers, 2D macrocycles, and 2D and 3D networks is developed. These networks are compared with respect to their thermal stabilities, molecular organization, and linear and nonlinear optical properties. This work opens new prospects for the development of supramolecular chemistry of terpyridines and other transition metal ions, and also their application in future optoelectronic devices.

One ligand in dual roles: self-assembly of a bis-rhomboidal-shaped, three-dimensional molecular wheel

A facile high yield, self-assembly process that leads to a terpyridine-based, three-dimensional, bis-rhomboidal-shaped, molecular wheel is reported. The desired coordination-driven supramolecular wheel involves eight structurally distorted tristerpyridine (tpy) ligands possessing a 60° angle between the adjacent tpy units and twelve Zn(2+) ions. The tpy ligand plays dual roles in the self-assembly process: two are staggered at 180° to create the internal hub, while six produce the external rim. The wheel can be readily generated by mixing the tpy ligand and Zn(2+) in a stoichiometric ratio of 2:3; full characterization is provided by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and TEM imaging.

Ruthenium polypyridine complexes combined with oligonucleotides for bioanalysis: a review

Ruthenium complexes are among the most interesting coordination complexes and they have attracted great attention over the past decades due to their appealing biological, catalytic, electronic and optical properties. Ruthenium complexes have found a unique niche in bioanalysis, as demonstrated by the substantial progress made in the field. In this review, the applications of ruthenium complexes coordinated with polypyridine ligands (and analogues) in bioanalysis are discussed. Three main detection methods based on electrochemistry, electrochemiluminescence, and photoluminscence are covered. The important targets, including DNA and other biologically important targets, are detected by specific biorecognition with the corresponding oligonucleotides as the biorecognition elements (i.e., DNA is probed by its complementary strand and other targets are detected by functional nucleic acids, respectively). Selected examples are provided and thoroughly discussed to highlight the substantial progress made so far. Finally, a brief summary with perspectives is included.

From trigonal bipyramidal to platonic solids: self-assembly and self-sorting study of terpyridine-based 3D architectures

Using a series of tritopic 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (tpy) ligands constructed on adamantane, three discrete 3D metallo-supramolecular architectures were assembled, i.e., trigonal bipyramidal, tetrahedron, and cube. The self-assembly used tritopic ligands as corner directing units and metal ions as glue units at the edge. The angles of the linkers between adamantane and tpy head play a critical role in guiding the assembled structures, which have the general formula of M3nL2n, where M denotes metal ion and L denotes ligand. All complexes were fully characterized by (1)H, (13)C NMR, diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and traveling-wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry. The binary mixtures of LA and LC or LB and LC underwent a self-sorting process that led to the self-assembly of discrete 3D structures. The self-sorting behavior is solely based on the angles precoded within the arm of tritopic ligands. Moreover, kinetic study of preassembled cube and tetrahedron demonstrated a slow ligand exchange process toward a statistical mixture of hetero tetrahedrons with LA and LB.

Turn-on phosphorescence by metal coordination to a multivalent terpyridine ligand: a new paradigm for luminescent sensors

A hexathiobenzene molecule carrying six terpyridine (tpy) units at the periphery has been designed to couple the aggregation induced phosphorescence, displayed by the core in the solid state, to the metal binding properties of the tpy units. Upon Mg(2+) complexation in THF solution, phosphorescence of the hexathiobenzene core is turned on. Metal ion coordination yields the formation of a supramolecular polymer which hinders intramolecular rotations and motions of the core chromophore, thus favoring radiative deactivation of the luminescent excited state. Upon excitation of the [Mg(tpy)2](2+) units of the polymeric structure, sensitization of the core phosphorescence takes place with >90% efficiency. The light-harvesting polymeric antenna can be disassembled upon fluoride ion addition, thereby switching off luminescence and offering a new tool for fluoride ion sensing. This unique system can, thus, serve as cation or anion sensor.

Active-template synthesis of “click” [2]rotaxane ligands: self-assembly of mechanically interlocked metallo-supramolecular dimers, macrocycles and oligomers

A "click" active-metal-template strategy has been exploited to develop mono- and bi-2,2′,6′,2″-terpyridine functionalised [2]rotaxanes. When reacted with Fe(ii) ions these rotaxanes formed metallo-bis-([2]rotaxanes), macrocycles and oligomers.

Protein-directed approaches to functional nanomaterials: a case study of lysozyme

Using lysozyme as a model, protein-directed approaches to functional nanomaterials were reviewed, making rational materials design possible in the future.