Anion Pairs Template a Trigonal Prism with Disilver Vertices

Enantiopure trigonal bipyramidal coordination cages templated by in situ self-organized D2h-symmetric anions

The control of a molecule's geometry, chirality, and physical properties has long been a challenging pursuit. Our study introduces a dependable method for assembling D3-symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination cages. Specifically, D2h-symmetric anions, like oxalate and chloranilic anions, self-organize around a metal ion to form chiral-at-metal anionic complexes, which template the formation of D3-symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination cages. The chirality of the trigonal bipyramid is determined by the point chirality of chiral amines used in forming the ligands. Additionally, these cages exhibit chiral selectivity for the included chiral-at-metal anionic template. Our method is broadly applicable to various ligand systems, enabling the construction of larger cages when larger D2h-symmetric anions, like chloranilic anions, are employed. Furthermore, we successfully produce enantiopure trigonal bipyramidal cages with anthracene-containing backbones using this approach, which would be otherwise infeasible. These cages exhibit circularly polarized luminescence, which is modulable through the reversible photo-oxygenation of the anthracenes.

Interpenetration Phenomena via Anion Template Effects in Fe(II) and Co(II) Coordination Networks with a Bis-(1,2,4-triazole) Ligand

Seven new coordination networks, [Fe(tbbt)3](BF4)2 (1), [Co(tbbt)3](BF4)2 (2), [Fe(tbbt)3](ClO4)2 (3), [Co(tbbt)3](ClO4)2 (4), [Fe(NCS)2(tbbt)2] (5), [Co(NCS)2(tbbt)2] (6), and [Fe(H2O)2(tbbt)2]Br2·2H2O (7), were synthesized with the linker 1,1'-(trans-2-butene-1,4-diyl)bis-1,2,4-triazole (tbbt) and structurally investigated. The structure of complexes 1-4 is composed of three interpenetrating, symmetry-related 3D networks. Each individual 3D network forms a primitive, nearly cubic lattice (pcu) with BF4- or ClO4- anions present in the interstitial spaces. The structure of compounds 5 and 6 is composed of two-dimensional sql layers, which are parallel to each other in the AB stacking type. These layers are interpenetrated by one-dimensional chains, both having the same formula unit, [M(NCS)2(tbbt)2] (M = Fe, Co). The structure of compound 7 consists of parallel, two-dimensional sql layers in the ABCD stacking type. The interpenetration in 1-6 is not controlled by π-π-interactions between the triazole rings or C=C bonds, as could have been expected, but by (triazole)C-H⋯F4B, C-H⋯O4Cl, and C-H⋯SCN anion hydrogen bonds, which suggests a template effect of the respective non-coordinated or coordinated anion for the interpenetration. In 7, the (triazole)C-H⋯Br anion interactions are supplemented by O-H⋯O and O-H⋯Br hydrogen bonds involving the aqua ligand and crystal water molecules. It is evident that the coordinated and non-coordinated anions play an essential role in the formation of the networks and guide the interpenetration. All iron(II) coordination networks are colorless, off-white to yellow-orange, and have the metal ions in the high-spin state down to 77 K. Compound 5 stays in the high spin state even at temperatures down to 10 K.

Anionic Templates Drive Conversion between a ZnII9L6 Tricapped Trigonal Prism and ZnII6L4 Pseudo-Octahedra

This work introduces the use of 8-aminoquinoline subcomponents to generate complex three-dimensional structures. Together with a tris(formylpyridine), 8-aminoquinoline condensed around Zn^II templates to produce a tris(tridentate) ligand. This ligand is incorporated into either a tricapped trigonal prismatic Zn^II₉L₆ structure or a pair of pseudo-octahedral Zn^II₆L₄ diastereomers, with S₄ and D₂ symmetries. Introduction of a methyl group onto the aminoquinoline modulated the coordination sphere of Zn^II, which favored the Zn^II₉L₆ structure and disfavored the Zn^II₆L₄ assembly. The tricapped trigonal prismatic Zn^II₉L₆ architecture converted into a single Zn^II₆L₄ cage diastereomer following the addition of a dianionic 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate guest. Four of these guests clustered tightly at the four windows of the Zn^II₆L₄ cage, held in place through electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, stabilize a single diastereomeric configuration with S₄ symmetry.

Plenates: Anion-Dependent Self-Assembly of the Pyrrole Cage Encapsulating Silver(I) Clusters

The self-assembly of 2,5-diformylpyrrole, tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, and silver(I) yielded, depending on the size and basicity of the anion, new cascade complexes or plenates, that is, cryptates incorporating Ag_n ⁿ⁺ clusters. The nature of the product was counterion-dependent, and its formation was either driven by cascade anion binding or by argentophilic interactions stabilizing the cluster within the cavity. The reaction of plenates with tetrabutylammonium halides resulted in the protonation-coupled replacement of the Ag₃ ³⁺ with anion(s), yielding cascade cryptates.

Probing the Importance of Host Symmetry on Carbohydrate Recognition

The design of molecular cages with low symmetry could allow for more specific tuning of their properties and better mimic the unsymmetrical and complex environment of protein pockets. However, the added value of lowering symmetry of molecular receptors has been rarely demonstrated. Herein, C₃ - and C₁ -symmetrical cages, presenting the same recognition sites, have been synthesized and investigated as hosts for carbohydrate recognition. Structurally related derivatives of glucose, galactose and mannose were found to have greater affinity to the receptor with the lowest symmetry than to their C₃ -symmetrical analogue. According to the host cavity modelling, the C₁ symmetry receptor exhibits a wider opening than its C₃ -symmetrical counterpart, providing easier access and thus promoting guest proximity to binding sites. Moreover, our results show the high stereo- and substrate selectivity of the C₁ symmetry cage with respect to its C₃ counterpart in the recognition of sugars.

Anion-Driven Programmable Chiral Self-Sorting in Metal-Organic Cages and Structural Transformations between Heterochiral and Homochiral Cages

When a racemic mixture of chiral building blocks self-assembles to form discrete molecular or supramolecular cages, the system can adopt either social or narcissistic chiral self-sorting. However, control over such chiral self-sorting is hard to achieve with a desired choice of outcome. Herein, we report anion templated high-fidelity chiral self-sorting during the coordination-driven self-assembly of [Pd₂ L₄ ] metal-organic cages, with a racemic mixture of an axially chiral ligand. Upon varying the counter-anions, the outcome of the choice of chiral self-sorting, whether social or narcissistic, leading to kinetically favored heterochiral or thermodynamically favored homochiral cages, can be controlled through specific anion encapsulation. Non-encapsulating anion afforded a mixture of all possible diastereomers. Anion exchange enabled structural transformations between the diastereomers and the conversion of the mixture of diastereomers into homochiral diastereomers.

Incorporation of a Phosphino(pyridine) Subcomponent Enables the Formation of Cages with Homobimetallic and Heterobimetallic Vertices

Biological systems employ multimetallic assemblies to achieve a range of functions. Here we demonstrate the preparation of metal–organic cages that contain either homobimetallic or heterobimetallic vertices. These vertices are constructed using 2-formyl-6-diphenylphosphinopyridine, which forms ligands that readily bridge between a pair of metal centers, thus enforcing the formation of bimetallic coordination motifs. Two pseudo-octahedral homometallic M^I₁₂L₄ cages (M^I = Cu^I or Ag^I) were prepared, with a head-to-head configuration of their vertices confirmed by X-ray crystallography and multinuclear NMR for Ag^I. The phosphino-pyridine subcomponent also enabled the formation of a class of octanuclear Cd^II₄Cu^I₄L₄ tetrahedral cages, representing an initial example of self-assembled cages containing well-defined heterobimetallic vertices.

Beyond Platonic: How to Build Metal-Organic Polyhedra Capable of Binding Low-Symmetry, Information-Rich Molecular Cargoes

The field of metallosupramolecular chemistry has advanced rapidly in recent years. Much work in this area has focused on the formation of hollow self-assembled metal-organic architectures and exploration of the applications of their confined nanospaces. These discrete, soluble structures incorporate metal ions as ‘glue’ to link organic ligands together into polyhedra.Most of the architectures employed thus far have been highly symmetrical, as these have been the easiest to prepare. Such high-symmetry structures contain pseudospherical cavities, and so typically bind roughly spherical guests. Biomolecules and high-value synthetic compounds are rarely isotropic, highly-symmetrical species. To bind, sense, separate, and transform such substrates, new, lower-symmetry, metal-organic cages are needed. Herein we summarize recent approaches, which taken together form the first draft of a handbook for the design of higher-complexity, lower-symmetry, self-assembled metal-organic architectures.

NHC-BIAN-Cu(I)-Catalyzed Friedländer-Type Annulation of 2-Amino-3-(per)fluoroacetylpyridines with Alkynes on Water

The direct catalytic alkynylation/dehydrative cyclization of 2-amino-3-trifluoroacetyl-pyridines on water was developed for the efficient synthesis of a broad range of fluorinated 1,8-naphthyridines from terminal alkynes. A novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand system that combines a π-extended acenaphthylene backbone with sterically bulky pentiptycene pendant groups was successfully utilized in a copper- or silver-mediated cyclization. Computational analysis of the reaction pathway supports our explanation of the different experimental conversions and yields for the set of copper and silver catalysts. The impact of steric hindrance at the metal center and the flexibility of substituents on the imidazole ring of the NHC on catalytic performance are also discussed.

Rigidity and Flexibility in Rotaxanes and Their Relatives; On Being Stubborn and Easy-Going

Rotaxanes are an emerging class of molecules composed of two building blocks: macrocycles and threads. Rotaxanes, and their pseudorotaxane and polyrotaxane relatives, serve as prototypes for molecular-level switches and machines and as components in materials like elastic polymers and 3D printing inks. The rigidity and flexibility of these molecules is a characteristic feature of their design. However, the mechanical properties of the assembled rotaxane and its components are rarely examined directly, and the translation of these properties from molecules to bulk materials is understudied. In this Review, we consider the mechanical properties of rotaxanes by making use of concepts borrowed from physical organic chemistry. Rigid molecules have fewer accessible conformations with higher energy barriers while flexible molecules have more accessible conformations and lower energy barriers. The macrocycles and threads become rigidified when threaded together as rotaxanes in which the formation of intermolecular interactions and increased steric contacts collectively reduce the conformational space and raise barriers. Conversely, rotational and translational isomerism in rotaxanes adds novel modes of flexibility. We find that rigidification in rotaxanes is almost universal, but novel degrees of flexibility can be introduced. Both have roles to play in the function of rotaxanes.

Flexible Vertex Engineers the Controlled Assembly of Distorted Supramolecular Tetrahedral and Octahedral Cages

Designing and building unique cage assemblies attract increasing interest from supramolecular chemists but remain synthetically challenging. Herein, we propose the use of a flexible vertex with adjustable angles to selectively form highly distorted tetrahedral and octahedral cages, for the first time, in which the flexible vertex forms from the synergistic effect of coordination and covalent interactions. The inherent interligand angle of the vertex can be modulated by guest anions present, which allows for the fine-tuning of different cage geometries. Furthermore, the reversible structural transformation between tetrahedral and octahedral cages was achieved by anion exchange monitored by mass spectrometric technique, the smaller anions favoring tetrahedral cages, while the larger anions supporting octahedral cages. Additionally, the KBr-based cage thin films exhibited prominent enhancement of their third-order NLO responses in two or three orders of magnitude compared to those obtained for their corresponding solutions. This work not only provides a new methodology to build irregular polyhedral structures in a controlled and tunable way but also provides access to new kinds of promising functional optical materials.

Preparation of tricationic tris(pyridylpalladium(II)) metallacyclophane as an anion receptor

A tricationic tris(pyridylpalladium(II)) metallacyclophane was prepared from 3,5-dibromopyridine by a successive treatment with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0), diphosphine, and silver salt. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the metallacyclophane incorporated one of three counter anions into its hole-shaped cavity to form multidentate C-H⋯anion interactions. Solution-phase ¹H NMR experiments in DMSO-d₆ indicated that the metallacyclophane exhibited selective binding behavior toward nitrate, tetrafluoroborate, p-toluenesulfonate, perchlorate, and hydrogen sulfate ions, whereas the hexafluoroantimonate ion exhibited only weak interaction toward the metallacyclophane. This anion recognition behavior was further demonstrated by an extraction experiment of water-soluble sulfonate dyes.

Cooperativity of steric bulk and H-bonding in coordination sphere engineering: heteroleptic PdII cages and bowls by design

Recently developed self-assembly strategies allow to rationally reduce the symmetry of metallosupramolecular architectures. In addition, the combination of multiple ligand types without creating compound mixtures has become possible. Among several approaches to realize non-statistical heteroleptic assembly, Coordination Sphere Engineering (CSE) makes use of secondary repulsive or attractive interactions in direct vicinity of the metal nodes. Previously, we used steric congestion to turn dinuclear [Pd₂L₄] cages with fourfold symmetry into [Pd₂L₃X₂] (X = solvent, halide) bowl structures. Here, we introduce a new subtype of this strategy based on balancing hydrogen bonding and repulsive interactions between ligands carrying quinoline (L^Qu) and 1,8-naphthyridine (L^Na) donors to generate trans-[Pd₂L₂] and [Pd₂L₃L′] cages, assisted by templation of encapsulated fullerenes. Combined with steric congestion caused by acridine (L^Ac) donors, we further report the first example of a heteroleptic [Pd₂L₂L′X₂] bowl. Formation, structure and fullerene binding ability of these metallo-supramolecular hosts were studied by NMR, mass spectrometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Coordination Sphere Engineering (CSE) allows non-statistical assembly of heteroleptic supramolecular architectures by fine adjustment of steric and electronic features around square-planar Pd(ii) cations with naphthyridine donors.

Insight into systematic formation of hexafluorosilicate during crystallization via self-assembly in a glass vessel

Formation of the unexpected hexafluorosilicate (SiF₆²⁻) anion during crystallization via self-assembly in glassware is scrutinized. Self-assembly of M(BF₄)₂ (M²⁺ = Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺) with tridentate N-donors (L) in a mixture solvent including methanol in a glass vessel gives rise to an SiF₆²⁻-encapsulated Cu₃L₄ double-decker cage and a Zn₂L₄ cage, respectively. Induced reaction of CuX₂ (X⁻ = PF₆⁻ and SbF₆⁻) instead of Cu(BF₄)₂, with the tridentate ligands, produces the same species. The formation time of SiF₆²⁻ is in the order of anions BF₄⁻ < PF₆⁻ < SbF₆⁻ under the given reaction conditions. The SiF₆²⁻ anion, acting as a cage template or cage-to-cage bridge, seems to be formed from the reaction of polyatomic anions containing fluoride with the SiO₂ of the surface of the glass vessel.

Formation of the unexpected hexafluorosilicate (SiF₆²⁻) encapsulated cages constructed. Interestingly, this shows that the surface of glassware should be given serious consideration for long-duration reactions with active F-containing species.

Stimuli-Responsive and Structure-Adaptive Three-Dimensional Gold(I) Cluster Cages Constructed via "De-aurophilic" Interaction Strategy

Self-assembly of three-dimensional (3D) metallosupramolecular cages has drawn increasing attention for their potential to interconvert between different architectures due to the dynamic and reversible features of the coordination bond. These supramolecular transformations can provide unique approaches for the construction of stimuli-responsive supramolecular model systems to mimic biological transformation processes. While gold(I) clusters have attracted much interest due to their propensity to exhibit aurophilic interactions, the construction of 3D gold(I) cluster cages has remained a challenging and daunting task. Here, we proposed a "de-aurophilic" interaction strategy, which involves the prevention of aurophilic interaction formation between the basic [(μ₃-S)Au₃]⁺ units, to construct 3D gold(I) cluster cages. Through the judicious design of diphosphine ligands, an unprecedented class of gold(I) cluster cages with adaptive structures has been constructed. These gold(I) cluster cages are found to show intriguing stimuli-responsive structure transformation and interconversion. This work not only provides a strategy for the design and construction of novel 3D supramolecular cages based on cluster nodes but also offers a paradigm to study the stimuli-responsive structural interconversion between the unique structures of these gold(I) cluster cages.

Mixed Organometallic-Organic Hybrid Assemblies Based on the Diarsene Complex [Cp2 Mo2 (CO)4 (μ,η2 -As2 )], AgI Salts and N-Donor Organic Molecules

The reaction of the organometallic diarsene complex [Cp2 Mo2 (CO)4 (η2 -As2 )] (1) with Ag[Al{OC(CF3 )3 }4 ] (Ag[TEF]) yielded the AgI monomer [Ag(η2 -1)3 ][TEF] (2). This compound exhibits dynamic behavior in solution, which allows directed selective synthesis of unprecedented organometallic-organic hybrid assemblies upon its reaction with N-donor organic molecules by a stepwise pathway, which is supported by DFT calculations. Accordingly, the reaction of 2 with 2,2'-bipyrimidine (L1) yielded the dicationic molecular compound [{(η2 -1)2 Ag}2 (μ-L1)][TEF]2 (3) or the 1D polymer [{(η2 -1)Ag}(μ-L1)]n [TEF]n (4) depending on the ratio of the reactants. However, its reactions with the pyridine-based linkers 4,4'-bipyridine (L2), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (L3) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethyne (L4) allowed the formation of the 2D polymers [{(η2 -1)Ag}2 (μ-Lx)3 ]n [TEF]2n [Lx=L2 (5), L3 (6), L4 (7), respectively]. Additionally, this concept was extended to step-by-step one-pot reactions of 1, [Ag(CH3 CN)3 ][Al{OC(CF3 )2 (CCl3 )}4 ] ([Ag(CH3 CN)3 ][TEFCl ]) and linkers L2-L4 to produce the 2D polymers [{(η2 -1)Ag}2 (μ,Lx)3 ]n [TEFCl ]2n [Lx=L2 (8), L3 (9), L4 (10), respectively].

Selective Anion Binding Drives the Formation of AgI8L6 and AgI12L6 Six-Stranded Helicates

Here we describe the formation of an unexpected and unique family of hollow six-stranded helicates. The formation of these structures depends on the coordinative flexibility of silver and the 2-formyl-1,8-napthyridine subcomponent. Crystal structures show that these assemblies are held together by Ag4I, Ag4Br, or Ag6(SO4)2 clusters, where the templating anion plays an integral structure-defining role. Prior to the addition of the anionic template, no six-stranded helicate was observed to form, with the system instead consisting of a dynamic mixture of triple helicate and tetrahedron. Six-stranded helicate formation was highly sensitive to the structure of the ligand, with minor modifications inhibiting its formation. This work provides an unusual example of mutual stabilization between metal clusters and a self-assembled metal-organic cage. The selective preparation of this anisotropic host demonstrates new modes of guiding selective self-assembly using silver(I), whose many stable coordination geometries render design difficult.

Self-Assembly of Metallo-Supramolecules with Dissymmetrical Ligands and Characterization by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Asymmetrical and dissymmetrical structures are widespread and play a critical role in nature and life systems. In the field of metallo-supramolecular assemblies, it is still in its infancy for constructing artificial architectures using dissymmetrical building blocks. Herein, we report the self-assembly of supramolecular systems based on two dissymmetrical double-layered ligands. With the aid of ultra-high-vacuum, low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV-LT-STM), we were able to investigate four isomeric structures corresponding to four types of binding modes of ligand LA with two major conformations complexes A. The distribution of isomers measured by STM and total binding energy of each isomer obtained by density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested that the most abundant isomer could be the most stable one with highest total binding energy. Finally, through shortening the linker between inner and outer layers and the length of arms, the arrangement of dissymmetrical ligand LB could be controlled within one binding mode corresponding to the single conformation for complexes B.

Truncated Face-Rotating Polyhedra Constructed from Pentagonal Pentaphenylpyrrole through Graph Theory

Discovering novel families of molecular polyhedra through graph theory has attracted increasing interest. Nevertheless, the design principles of molecular polyhedra based on graph theory remain elusive, especially for those containing five-node units. Herein, we construct a series of chiral truncated face-rotating polyhedra (T-FRP) from pentagonal pentaphenylpyrrole (PPP) derivatives and chiral diamines. Graph theory is used to elucidate the geometry of these novel T-FRP, which represent a new family of molecular polyhedra. The phenyl flipping of PPP faces in these T-FRP is significantly restricted, thus making T-FRP chiral and strongly emissive in solution. In addition, T-FRP also generate circularly polarized luminescence. This study provides new insights into the rational design of novel molecular polyhedra through graph theory.

The Covalent and Coordination Co-Driven Assembly of Supramolecular Octahedral Cages with Controllable Degree of Distortion

Discovering and constructing novel and fancy structures is the goal of many supramolecular chemists. In this work, we propose an assembly strategy based on the synergistic effect of coordination and covalent interactions to construct a set of octahedral supramolecular cages and adjust their degree of distortion. Our strategy innovatively utilizes the addition of sulfur atoms of a metal sulfide synthon, [Et₄N][Tp*WS₃] (A), to an alkynyl group of a pyridine-containing linker, resulting in a novel vertex with low symmetry, and of Cu(I) ions. By adjusting the length of the linker and the position of the reactive alkynyl group, the control of the deformation degree of the octahedral cages can be realized. These supramolecular cages exhibit enhanced third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses. The results offer a powerful strategy to construct novel distorted cage structures as well as control the degree of distortion of supramolecular geometries.

Regulating the Structures of Self-Assembled Mechanically Interlocked Moleculecular Constructs via Dianion Precursor Substituent Effects

Substituent effects play critical roles in both modulating reaction chemistry and supramolecular self-assembly processes. Using substituted terephthalate dianions (p-phthalic acid dianions; PTADAs), the effect of varying the type, number, and position of the substituents was explored in terms of their ability to regulate the inherent anion complexation features of a tetracationic macrocycle, cyclo[2](2,6-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)pyridine)[2](1,4-dimethylenebenzene) (referred to as the Texas-sized molecular box; 1⁴⁺), in the form of its tetrakis-PF₆^- salt in DMSO. Several of the tested substituents, including 2-OH, 2,5-di(OH), 2,5-di(NH₂), 2,5-di(Me), 2,5-di(Cl), 2,5-di(Br), and 2,5-di(I), were found to promote pseudorotaxane formation in contrast to what was seen for the parent PTADA system. Other derivatives of PTADA, including those with 2,3-di(OH), 2,6-di(OH), 2,5-di(OMe), 2,3,5,6-tetra(Cl), and 2,3,5,6-tetra(F) substituents, led only to so-called outside binding, where the anion interacts with 1⁴⁺ on the outside of the macrocyclic cavity. The differing binding modes produced by the choice of PTADA derivative were found to regulate further supramolecular self-assembly when the reaction components included additional metal cations (M). Depending on the specific choice of PTADA derivatives and metal cations (M = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Gd³⁺, Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺, Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺), constructs involving one-dimensional polyrotaxanes, outside-type rotaxanated supramolecular organic frameworks (RSOFs), or two-dimensional metal-organic rotaxane frameworks (MORFs) could be stabilized. The presence and nature of the substituent were found to dictate which specific higher order self-assembled structure was obtained using a given cation. In the specific case of the 2,5-di(OH), 2,5-di(Cl), and 2,5-di(Br) PTADA derivatives and Eu³⁺, so-called MORFs with distinct fluorescence emission properties could be produced. The present work serves to illustrate how small changes in guest substitution patterns may be used to control structure well beyond the first interaction sphere.

Assembling Pentatopic Terpyridine Ligands with Three Types of Coordination Moieties into a Giant Supramolecular Hexagonal Prism: Synthesis, Self-Assembly, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Study

Three dimensional (3D) supramolecules with giant cavities are attractive due to their wide range of applications. Herein, we used pentatopic terpyridine ligands with three types of coordination moieties to assemble two giant supramolecular hexagonal prisms with a molecular weight up to 42 608 and 43 569 Da, respectively. Within the prisms, two double-rimmed Kandinsky Circles serve as the base surfaces as well as the templates for assisting the self-sorting during the self-assembly. Additionally, hierarchical self-assembly of these supramolecular prisms into tubular-like nanostructures was fully studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Finally, these supramolecular prisms show good antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis).