A Self-Assembled [FeII12L12] Capsule with an Icosahedral Framework

Metal-Organic Frameworks and Metal-Organic Cages - A Perspective

The fields of metal-organic cages (MOCs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are both highly topical and continue to develop at a rapid pace. Despite clear synergies between the two fields, overlap is rarely observed. This article discusses the peculiarities and similarities of MOCs and MOFs in terms of synthetic strategies and approaches to system characterisation. The stability of both classes of material is compared, particularly in relation to their applications in guest storage and catalysis. Lastly, suggestions are made for opportunities for each field to learn and develop in partnership with the other.

Supramolecular Metallacycles and Their Binding of Fullerenes

The synthesis of a new triaminoguanidinium-based ligand with three tris-chelating [NNO]-binding pockets and C3 symmetry is described. The reaction of tris-(2-pyridinylene-N-oxide)triaminoguanidinium salts with zinc(II) formate leads to the formation of cyclic supramolecular coordination compounds which in solution bind fullerenes in their spherical cavities. The rapid encapsulation of C60 can be observed by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction and is verified using computation.

From Octahedral to Icosahedral Metal-Organic Polyhedra Assembled from Two Types of Polyoxovanadate Clusters

Design and synthesis of metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs) with targeted geometries from predetermined secondary building units (SBUs) is a long-standing challenge in chemistry and material science. Theoretical prediction shows that there are 6 possible polyhedra from the 3-coordinated, 4-coordinated octahedron ((3,4)-c octahedron) to (3,5)-c icosahedron with minimal transitivity (simplest possible). Except for one missing polyhedron (mtr) due to the unfavorable angles, we report five MOPs based on these structures, including an octahedral (3,4)-c VMOP-21 (rdo), an icosahedral (3,5)-c VMOP-25 (trc), and three intermediate derived trinodal (3,4,5)-c VMOP-22-24 (ghm, hmg, xum). Remarkably, all these MOPs obey the minimal transitivity principle and are consistent with geometrical predictions.

Acid-Base-Triggered Structural Transformation of a Polyoxometalate Core Inside a Dodecahedrane-like Silver Thiolate Shell

Self-assembly of metavanadate and organosilver(I) salts leads to a novel dodecahedrane-like [Ag30 ((t) BuS)20 ](10+) silver(I) thiolate nanocage that tightly wraps an unusual C2h polyoxovanadate anion. The polyoxovanadate core undergoes transformation to a D3d configuration upon acidification, and reverts back to its original C2h structure upon addition of base. Chromism was observed for the silver(I) thiolate cluster during the configurational change of the central polyoxovanadate core; the color of the solution changes reversibly from green to dark yellow. This work represents the first reported example of chromic polyoxometalate-templated silver(I) thiolate shells that respond to external acid-base stimuli. It also represents an important advance in providing crystallographic proof that structural transformations occur in a nanoscale core-shell cluster.

Reversible Guest Uptake/Release by Redox-Controlled Assembly/Disassembly of a Coordination Cage

Controlling the guest expulsion process from a receptor is of critical importance in various fields. Several coordination cages have been recently designed for this purpose, based on various types of stimuli to induce the guest release. Herein, we report the first example of a redox-triggered process from a coordination cage. The latter integrates a cavity, the panels of which are based on the extended tetrathiafulvalene unit (exTTF). The unique combination of electronic and conformational features of this framework (i.e. high π-donating properties and drastic conformational changes upon oxidation) allows the reversible disassembly/reassembly of the redox-active cavity upon chemical oxidation/reduction, respectively. This cage is able to bind the three-dimensional B12 F12 (2-) anion in a 1:2 host/guest stoichiometry. The reversible redox-triggered disassembly of the cage could also be demonstrated in the case of the host-guest complex, offering a new option for guest-delivering control.

Dynamic imine chemistry in metal–organic polyhedra

This review highlights the intercession of Schiff base ligands in the preparation of self-assembled architectures mainly metal–organic polyhedra and describes their unprecedented role in various key applications.

Ligand Constraints and Synthesis of Metal–Organic Polyhedra

Metal–organic polyhedra are three dimensional discrete structures typically constructed by the self-assembly of metal ions and ligands. The synthesis and geometry of discrete structures entirely rely on the choice of metal ions, ligand constraints such as steric bulk, bend angle, and functionalities, and the nature of applied solvents. As a result, they provide tailorable internal volume and usually hydrophobic nature to the cavity that in turn makes them one of the prominent host molecules for a range of applications. This review highlights the intervention of ligand constraints, precisely bend angle (0°, 60°, 120°, and 180°), hydroxyl functionalities, and the role of concepts such as molecular panelling and subcomponent self-assembly in the synthesis of polyhedra.