Three-Component Self-Assembly Changes its Course: A Leap from Simple Polymers to 3D Networks of Spherical Host-Guest Assemblies

One‐pot self‐assembly reactions of the polyphosphorus complex [Cp*Fe(η⁵‐P₅)] (A), a coinage metal salt AgSbF₆, and flexible aliphatic dinitriles NC(CH₂)_xCN (x=1–10) yield 1D, 2D, and 3D coordination polymers. The seven‐membered backbone of the dinitrile was experimentally found as the borderline for the self‐assembly system furnishing products of different kinds. At x<7, various rather simple polymers are exclusively formed possessing either 0D or 1D Ag/A structural motifs connected by dinitrile spacers, while at x≥7, the self‐assembly switches to unprecedented extraordinary 3D networks of nano‐sized host–guest assemblies (SbF₆)@[(A)₉Ag₁₁]¹¹⁺ (x=7) or (A)@[(A)₁₂Ag₁₂]¹²⁺ (x=8–10) linked by dinitriles. The polycationic nodes represent the first superspheres based on A and silver and are host–guest able. All products are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The assemblies [(A)₁₂Ag₁₂]¹²⁺ were visualized by transmission electron microscopy.

Probing the mechanism of thermally driven thiol-Michael dynamic covalent chemistry

The thermally driven exchange of thiol-Michael adducts is investigated, elucidating the underlying mechanism of this dynamic covalent process.

Synthesis of a rigid C3v -symmetric tris-salicylaldehyde as a precursor for a highly porous molecular cube

The development of a synthetic approach to a C3v -symmetric tris-salicylaldehyde based on triptycene is presented. The tris-salicylaldehyde is a versatile precursor for porous molecular materials, as demonstrated in the [4+4] condensation reaction with a triptycene triamine to form a molecular shape-persistent porous cube. The amorphous material of the molecular porous cube shows a very high surface area of 1014 m(2)  g(-1) (BET model) and a high uptake of CO2 (18.2 wt % at 273 K and 1 bar). Furthermore, during the multistep synthesis of the tris-salicylaldehyde precursor, a relatively rare (twofold) addition of the aryne to the anthracene in the 1,4- and 1,4,5,8-positions have been found during a Diels-Alder reaction, as proven by X-ray structure analysis.

Multicomponent assembly of cavitand-based polyacylhydrazone nanocapsules

The thermodynamically controlled syntheses of different di-, tetra-, and hexacavitand polyacylhydrazone nanocapsules are reported. [2+4]-, [4+8]-, and [6+12]-nanocapsules assemble upon reacting a tetraformyl cavitand with two equivalents of isophthalic dihydrazide, or terephthalic dihydrazide in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, whereby the building blocks are linked together through 8, 16, or 24 newly formed acylhydrazone bonds. Futhermore, the reaction of the tetraformylcavitands with different trigonal planar trihydrazides, simultaneously leads to the formation of [2+4]- and [6+8]-nanocapsules in varying ratios that depend on the cavitand to trihydrazide ratio and the nature of the cavitand and trihydrazide building blocks. The product ratios are rationalized with the different conformational strain of the acylhydrazone linkages in these nanocapsules. Diffusion NMR experiments with the hexacavitand polyacylhydrazone nanocapsules yield solvodynamic radii that range from 1.6 to 2.5 nm, consistent with estimates from force field calculations, and support, that these capsules have solvent filled, spherical interiors, the sizes of which approaches those of smaller proteins.