Large, heterometallic coordination cages based on ditopic metallo-ligands with 3-pyridyl donor groups

Ditopic N-donor ligands with terminal 4-pyridyl groups are omnipresent in coordination-based self-assembly. The utilization of ligands with 3-pyridyl donor groups is significantly less common, because the intrinsic conformational flexibility of these ligands tends to favor the formation of small aggregates. Here, we show that large Pd6L1212+ cages can be obtained by reaction of Pd(ii) salts with metallo-ligands L bearing terminal 3-pyridyl groups. The easy-to-access metallo-ligands contain an Fe(ii) clathrochelate core. These sterically demanding clathrochelate complexes prevent the formation of smaller aggregates, which is observed for less bulky analogous building blocks. The cages were shown to bind BF4- and BPh4- anions in aqueous solvent mixtures, whilst the lateral size of the clathrochelate significantly affects their guest encapsulation behavior.

Influence of the central metal ion in controlling the self-assembly and magnetic properties of 2D coordination polymers derived from [(NiL)2M](2+) nodes (M = Ni, Zn and Cd) (H2L = salen-type di-Schiff base) and dicyanamide spacers

Three new 2D coordination polymers (CPs) (2)∞[(NiL)2Ni(μ1,5-N(CN)2)2]n (), (2)∞[(NiL)2Cd(μ1,5-N(CN)2)2]n () and (2)∞[(NiL)2Zn(μ1,5-N(CN)2)2]n () have been synthesized by reacting a [NiL] "metalloligand" (where H2L = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine) with three different metal(ii) (Ni, Cd and Zn) perchlorates and sodium dicyanamide, with identical molar ratios of the reactants. All three products have been characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, elemental analyses, powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction and variable temperature magnetic measurements. The isomorphous compounds and consist of similar [(NiL)2M(μ1,5-N(CN)2)] (M = Ni for and Cd for ) angular trinuclear units in which two terminal "metalloligands" [NiL] coordinate to the central nickel(ii) (in ) or cadmium(ii) (in ) ion through phenoxido oxygen atoms. The μ1,5-bridging dicyanamido spacers connect the central Ni(ii) or Cd(ii) of one node to terminal Ni(ii) of two different nodes giving rise to 2D CPs. Compound also contains trinuclear units with the same formula as those of and : [(NiL)2M(μ1,5-N(CN)2)] (M = Zn in ). The main differences are that these units are linear in and the dicyanamide spacers link only the nickel atoms of neighbouring nodes. As in and , these trinuclear units are connected to four other units via four μ1,5-bridging dicyanamido ligands, giving rise to 2D CP with a similar topology: a uninodal 4-connected underlying net with the sql (Shubnikov tetragonal plane net) topology and (4(4)·6(2)) point symbol. The magnetic properties show the presence of moderate intra-trimer antiferromagnetic interactions in (J = -12.9 cm(-1)) and weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the terminal Ni(ii) ions in (J = -2.4 cm(-1)). In the Ni(ii) ions are well isolated by the central Zn(ii) ion and accordingly, only a very weak antiferromagnetic interaction through the single μ1,5-bridging dicyanamido ligands is observed (J = -0.44 cm(-1), D = -3.9 cm(-1)).

Functional supramolecular polymers for biomedical applications

As a novel class of dynamic and non-covalent polymers, supramolecular polymers not only display specific structural and physicochemical properties, but also have the ability to undergo reversible changes of structure, shape, and function in response to diverse external stimuli, making them promising candidates for widespread applications ranging from academic research to industrial fields. By an elegant combination of dynamic/reversible structures with exceptional functions, functional supramolecular polymers are attracting increasing attention in various fields. In particular, functional supramolecular polymers offer several unique advantages, including inherent degradable polymer backbones, smart responsiveness to various biological stimuli, and the ease for the incorporation of multiple biofunctionalities (e.g., targeting and bioactivity), thereby showing great potential for a wide range of applications in the biomedical field. In this Review, the trends and representative achievements in the design and synthesis of supramolecular polymers with specific functions are summarized, as well as their wide-ranging biomedical applications such as drug delivery, gene transfection, protein delivery, bio-imaging and diagnosis, tissue engineering, and biomimetic chemistry. These achievements further inspire persistent efforts in an emerging interdisciplin-ary research area of supramolecular chemistry, polymer science, material science, biomedical engineering, and nanotechnology.

A 1D anionic coordination polymer showing superior Congo Red sorption and its dye composite exhibiting remarkably enhanced photocurrent response

A 1D coordination polymer, [Zn(1,2,3-BTA)(H₂O)]·(H₂L)_0.5·2H₂O, shows superior Congo red sorption and its dye composite demonstrates significantly amplified photocurrent responses.

Bis(4-pyridyl)mercury – a new linear tecton in crystal engineering: coordination polymers and co-crystallization processes

Three new coordination polymers have been obtained using bis(4-pyridyl)mercury (py₂Hg) as a spacer: [Cu(Hmea)₂(py₂Hg)](ClO₄)₂·2(py₂Hg) (1), [Cu₂(pa)₂(py₂Hg)(ClO₄)₂]·0.5(py₂Hg)·H₂O (2), and [Cu₂(pa)₂(py₂Hg)₂](BF₄)₂ (3) (Hmea = monoethanolamine; Hpa = propanolamine).

The construction of supramolecular polymers through anion bridging: from frustrated hydrogen-bonding networks to well-ordered linear arrays

The construction of supramolecular polymers has been realized by converting random hydrogen-bonding networks into well-ordered linear hydrogen-bonding arrays through an anion-bridging strategy.

Assembly, structures, photophysical properties and photocatalytic activities of a series of coordination polymers constructed from semi-rigid bis-pyridyl-bis-amide and benzenetricarboxylic acid

Ten metal–organic coordination polymers 1–10 based on semi-rigid bis-pyridyl-bis-amide ligands have been synthesized. The fluorescence sensing and photocatalytic properties of 1–10 have been investigated.

Nano-sized heterometallic macrocycles based on 4-pyridinylboron-capped iron(II) clathrochelates: syntheses, structures and properties

Ir-Fe heterometallic macrocycles from clathrochelate-based bipyridyl and bis(amidinate) ligands with controllable cavity size have been prepared and characterized.

Coordination polymers derived from pyridyl carboxylate ligands having an amide backbone: an attempt towards the selective separation of CuII cation following in situ crystallization under competitive conditions

Selective separation of Cu^II following in situ crystallization of coordination polymers derived from a pyridyl amide carboxylate ligand was achieved.

Metal–organic frameworks based on flexible ligands (FL-MOFs): structures and applications

This review presents the recent developments on FL-MOFs, including their structures and applications in gas adsorption, catalysis and proton conduction.

The construction of rigid supramolecular polymers in water through the self-assembly of rod-like monomers and cucurbit[8]uril

Two types of stick-like supramolecular polymers possessing rigid backbones have been fabricated through the self-assembly of rod-like monomers and cucurbit[8]uril in water.

Five diverse bivalent metal coordination polymers based on benzene dicarboxylate and bent dipyridyl ligands: syntheses, structures, and photoluminescent properties

Five divalent metal coordination polymers based on two different azine based bent N,N′-donor ligand and 1,4-benzene dicarboxylate were synthesized and characterized.

Is metal metathesis a framework-templating strategy to synthesize coordination polymers (CPs)? Transmetallation studies involving flexible ligands

Framework-templating strategy, where Cd-CP acted as template to preorganise the linkers, resulted in a Cu-CP, which was not obtained by direct reaction of Cu(ii) and the ligand.

Use of solvent to regulate the degree of polymerisation in weakly associated supramolecular oligomers

A tetrathiafulvalene functionalised calix[4]pyrrole (TTF-C[4]P; 1) and alkyl diester-linked bis-dinitrophenols (2–4) interact to form self-associated species whose character depends on linker length and solvent polarity.

Seven novel coordination polymers constructed by rigid 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-terpyridine ligands: synthesis, structural diversity, luminescence and magnetic properties

Seven coordination polymers, namely [Mn(4-cptpy)2]n (1), [Co(4-cptpy)2]n (2), [Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O)]n·2nH2O (3), [Co(4-cptpy)(HCOO)(H2O)]n·nDMF (4), [Zn2(4-Hcptpy)2Cl4]n·2nC2H5OH·nH2O (5), [Co4(3-cptpy)4(HCOO)4(H2O)2]n (6), and [Mn(3-cptpy)2]n (7) (4-Hcptpy = 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,2':6',4''-terpyridine; 3-Hcptpy = 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3,2':6',3''-terpyridine), have been synthesized under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions and structurally characterized. A general solvothermal method is proposed for preparing carboxylate complexes in DMF solution without any basic additive. 1 and 2 possess isostructural 3D metal-organic frameworks containing nanosized cavities. 3 is a beautiful 2D coordination polymer assembled by flower-like Mn3(4-cptpy)6(H2O) subunits. 4 and 6 both display 2D polymeric networks constructed from 4/3-cptpy(-) ligands, in which the formate ligands originate from the hydrolysis of DMF. 5 is a 1D 2(1) helical chain polymer. 7 shows a 2D network with a (3.6) two-nodal kgd topology. 4/3-Hcptpy ligands display seven types of coordination modes. The zinc complex 5 emits strong violet luminescence. 1 and 2 are both thermally stable below 440 °C and exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions.

Supramolecular polymers with tunable topologies via hierarchical coordination-driven self-assembly and hydrogen bonding interfaces

A powerful strategy to obtain complex supramolecular materials is the bottom-up construction of noncovalently bound materials by hierarchical self-assembly. This assembly process involves stepwise, uniform increases to the architectural complexity of a substrate, starting from discrete precursors and growing in dimensionality through controlled reactivity to a final product. Herein, two orthogonal processes are exploited: coordination-driven self-assembly and hydrogen bonding. The former relies on the predictable formation of metal-ligand bonds wherein the directionalities of the rigid precursors used determines the structural outcome. The latter uses 2-ureido-4-pyrimidinone interfaces that are structurally robust by virtue of the quadruple hydrogen bonding that can occur between subunits. By combining these two processes into a single system, it is possible to generate hierarchical materials that preserve the attractive tunability associated with discrete supramolecular coordination complexes. For instance, the synthesis of a one-dimensional chain comprising linked metalla-rhomboids is readily adapted to a 2D cross-linked hexagonal network by simply selecting a different metal acceptor precursor as an assembly component. The specific interactions between subunits, in this case platinum(II)-pyridyl bonds and the quadruple H-bonding of ureidopyrimidinone, are unchanged, establishing a unique strategy to obtain supramolecular polymers with marked topological differences with minimal synthetic redesign. In addition, the structural rigidity imposed by the inclusion of the platinum metallacycles serves to minimize the formation of cyclic oligomers, increasing the efficacy of formation and improving the properties of the resultant materials. Furthermore, this study taps the potential of organoplatinum(II) metallacycles in materials science.

Hierarchical self-assembly: well-defined supramolecular nanostructures and metallohydrogels via amphiphilic discrete organoplatinum(II) metallacycles

Metallacyclic cores provide a scaffold upon which pendant functionalities can be organized to direct the formation of dimensionally controllable nanostructures. Because of the modularity of coordination-driven self-assembly, the properties of a given supramolecular core can be readily tuned, which has a significant effect on the resulting nanostructured material. Herein we report the efficient preparation of two amphiphilic rhomboids that can subsequently order into 0D micelles, 1D nanofibers, or 2D nanoribbons. This structural diversity is enforced by three parameters: the nature of the hydrophilic moieties decorating the parent rhomboids, the concentration of precursors during self-assembly, and the reaction duration. These nanoscopic constructs further interact to generate metallohydrogels at high concentrations, driven by intermolecular hydrophobic and π-π interactions, demonstrating the utility of coordination-driven self-assembly as a first-order structural element for the hierarchical design of functional soft materials.

New Ag(I)-iminophosphorane coordination polymers as efficient catalysts precursors for the MW-assisted Meyer-Schuster rearrangement of propargylic alcohols in water

Treatment of the N-thiophosphorylated iminophosphorane ligands (PTA)═NP(═S)(OR)2 [PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, 3a and 3b] and (DAPTA)═NP(═S)(OR)2 [DAPTA = 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, 4a and 4b] with an equimolecular amount of AgSbF6 leads to high-yield formation of the new one-dimensional coordination polymers [Ag{μ(2)-N,S-(PTA)═NP(═S)(OR)2}]x[SbF6]x (5a and 5b) and [Ag{μ(2)-O,S-(DAPTA)═NP(═S)(OR)2}]x[SbF6]x (6a and 6b), respectively. These new (iminophosphorane)silver(I) coordination polymers are efficient catalyst precursors for the Meyer-Schuster isomerization of both terminal and internal alkynols. Reactions proceeded in water, under aerobic conditions and using microwave irradiation as heating source, to afford the corresponding α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in excellent yields, without the addition of any cocatalyst. Remarkably, it should be noted that this catalytic system can be recycled up to 10 consecutive runs (1st cycle 45 min, 99%; 10th cycle 6 h, 97%). ESI-MS analysis of 5a in water has been carried out providing valuable insight into the monomeric active species responsible for catalytic activity in water.