A Trigonal Prismatic Ligand in the Metal-Mediated Self-Assembly of One- and Two-Dimensional Metallosupramolecular Polymers

Construction of stable porous organic cages: from the perspective of chemical bonds

Porous organic cages (POCs) are constructed from purely organic synthons by covalent linkages with intrinsic cavities and have shown potential applications in many areas. However, the majority of POC synthesis methods reported thus far have relied on dynamically reversible imine linkages, which can be metastable and unstable under humid or harsh chemical conditions. This instability significantly hampers their research prospects and practical applications. Consequently, strategies to enhance the chemical stability of POCs by modifying imine bonds and developing robust covalent linkages are imperative for realizing the full potential of these materials. In this review, we aim to highlight recent advancements in synthesizing chemical-stable POCs through these approaches and their associated applications. Additionally, we propose further strategies for creating stable POCs and discuss future opportunities for practical applications.

Single-Pot Self-Assembly of Heteroleptic Mn(I)-Based Aminoquinonato-Bridged Ester/Amide-Functionalized Dinuclear Metallastirrups: Potential Anticancer and Visible-Light-Triggered CORMs

Multicomponent self-assembly of Mn₂(CO)₁₀, a bis-chelating aminoquinonato (ON∩ON) bridge (L), and an ester/amide-functionalized flexible neutral ditopic linker (L') has resulted into the formation of M₂LL'-type manganese(I)-based dinuclear metallastirrups of general formula [{(CO)₃Mn(μ-η⁴-L)Mn(CO)₃}(μ-L')] (1-10). Compounds 1-10 were accomplished via orthogonal bonding of the aminoquinone ligand (2,5-bis(n-butylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone/2,5-bis(phenethylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone) and ditopic pyridyl ligand to manganese carbonyl. The resultant metallastirrups were characterized using elemental analyses and IR, UV-vis, ¹H NMR, and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structure of 6 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, molecular recognition capabilities of 1, 5, 7, and 9 were evaluated with aromatic compounds containing hydroxy/amine functionalities. Anticancer activities of compounds 1-3, 5-7, 9, and 10 were investigated against three cancer cell lines, that is, lung (A549), colon (HCT-15), and cervical (HeLa) as well as on normal cells (HEK 293). Compound 9 showed a broad-spectrum inhibition toward these cancer cells upon exposure to visible light. The myoglobin assay was performed using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy to investigate the visible-light-triggered CO release from 5 and 9 that could be related to their ability to effectively inhibit cancer cells. In addition, morphological studies confirmed the induction of autophagy due to the treatment of cancer cells using compound 9.

2D networks of metallo-capsules and other coordination polymers from a hexapodal ligand

2D M₃L₂ coordination polymers (M = Re(i), Cu(ii), Co(ii), Ni(ii)) feature metal-linked M₆L₂-cages, and the Re(i) material absorbs iodine.

Synthesis and reactions of N-heterocycle functionalised variants of heterometallic {Cr7Ni} rings

Here we present a series of linked cage complexes of functionalised variants of the octametallic ring {Cr₇Ni} with the general formula [ⁿPr₂NH₂][Cr₇NiF₈(O₂C^tBu)₁₅(O₂CR)], where HO₂CR is a N-heterocycle containing carboxylic acid.

Solvent-mediated crystal-to-crystal transformations from a cationic homometallic metal–organic framework to heterometallic frameworks

A new strategy for the synthesis of heterometallic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) was presented. Two unprecedented heterometallic MOFs were successfully prepared through solvent-mediated crystal-to-crystal transformations from a monometallic cationic MOF.