Self-selection in the self-assembly of isomeric supramolecular squares from unsymmetrical bis(4-pyridyl)acetylene ligands

Diastereoselective Self-Assembly of Low-Symmetry Pdn L2n Nanocages through Coordination-Sphere Engineering

Metal-organic cages (MOCs) are popular host architectures assembled from ligands and metal ions/nodes. Assembling structurally complex, low-symmetry MOCs with anisotropic cavities can be limited by the formation of statistical isomer libraries. We set out to investigate the use of primary coordination-sphere engineering (CSE) to bias isomer selectivity within homo- and heteroleptic Pdn L2n cages. Unexpected differences in selectivities between alternative donor groups led us to recognise the significant impact of the second coordination sphere on isomer stabilities. From this, molecular-level insight into the origins of selectivity between cis and trans diastereoisomers was gained, highlighting the importance of both host-guest and host-solvent interactions, in addition to ligand design. This detailed understanding allows precision engineering of low-symmetry MOC assemblies without wholesale redesign of the ligand framework, and fundamentally provides a theoretical scaffold for the development of stimuli-responsive, shape-shifting MOCs.

Shape-Dependent Complementary Ditopic Terpyridine Pair with Two Levels of Self-Recognition for Coordination-Driven Self-Assembly

Molecular recognition in biological systems plays a vital role in the precise construction of biomacromolecules and the corresponding biological activities. Such recognition mainly relies on the highly specific binding of complementary molecular pairs with complementary sizes, shapes, and intermolecular forces. It still remains challenging to develop artificial complementary motif pairs for coordination-driven self-assembly. Herein, a series of shape-dependent complementary motif pairs, based on ditopic 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (TPY) backbone, are designed and synthesized. The fidelity degrees of self-assemblies from these motifs are carefully evaluated by multi-dimensional mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. In addition, two levels of self-recognition in both homoleptic and heteroleptic assembly are discovered in the assembled system. Through finely tuning the shape and size of the ligands, a complementary pair is developed with error-free narcissistically self-sorting at two levels of self-recognition, and the intrinsic principle is carefully investigated.

Exploring the Geometric Space of Metal-Organic Polyhedrons (MOPs) of Metal-Oxo Clusters

Metal organic polyhedra (MOPs) such as coordination cages and clusters are increasingly utilized across many fields, but their geometrically selective assembly during synthesis is nontrivial. When ligand coordination along these polyhedral edges is arranged in an unsymmetrical mode or the bridging ligand itself is nonsymmetric, a vast combinatorial space of potential isomers exists complicating formation and isolation. Here we describe two generalizable combinatorial methodologies to explore the geometrical space and enumerate the configurational isomers of MOPs with discrimination of the chiral and achiral structures. The methodology has been applied to the case of the octahedron {Bi₆Fe₁₃L₁₂} which has unsymmetrical coordination of a carboxylate ligand (L) along its edges. For these polyhedra, the enumeration methodology revealed 186 distinct isomers, including 74 chiral pairs and 38 achiral. To explore the programming of these, we then used a range of ligands to synthesize several configurational isomers. Our analysis demonstrates that ligand halo-substituents influence isomer symmetry and suggests that more symmetric halo-substituted ligands counterintuitively yield lower symmetry isomers. We performed mass spectrometry studies of these {Bi₆Fe₁₃L₁₂} clusters to evaluate their stability and aggregation behavior in solution and the gas phase showing that various isomers have different levels of aggregation in solution.

We describe combinatorial methodologies to explore the geometrical space and enumerate the configurational isomers of metal organic polyhedra with discrimination of the chiral and achiral structures. The methodology was applied to the octahedral {Bi₆Fe₁₃L₁₂} which has an unsymmetrical coordination of a carboxylate ligands (L) along its edges. For these polyhedra, the enumeration methodology revealed 186 distinct isomers, including 74 chiral pairs and 38 achiral. We used a range of ligands to synthesize several configurational isomers.

Designing narcissistic self-sorting terpyridine moieties with high coordination selectivity for complex metallo-supramolecules

Coordination-driven self-assembly is a powerful approach for the construction of metallosupramolecules, but designing coordination moieties that can drive the self-assembly with high selectivity and specificity remains a challenge. Here we report two ortho-modified terpyridine ligands that form head-to-tail coordination complexes with Zn(II). Both complexes show narcissistic self-sorting behaviour. In addition, starting from these ligands, we obtain two sterically congested multitopic ligands and use them to construct more complex metallo-supramolecules hexagons. Because of the non-coaxial structural restrictions in the rotation of terpyridine moieties, these hexagonal macrocycles can hierarchically self-assemble into giant cyclic nanostructures via edge-to-edge stacking, rather than face-to-face stacking. Our design of dissymmetrical coordination moieties from congested coordination pairs show remarkable self-assembly selectivity and specificity.

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.

Self-Assembly of Metallo-Supramolecules under Kinetic or Thermodynamic Control: Characterization of Positional Isomers Using Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy

Coordination-driven self-assembly has been extensively employed to construct a variety of discrete structures as a bottom-up strategy. However, mechanistic understanding regarding whether self-assembly is under kinetic or thermodynamic control is less explored. To date, such mechanistic investigation has been limited to distinct, assembled structures. It still remains a formidable challenge to study the kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of self-assembly systems with multiple assembled isomers due to the lack of characterization methods. Herein, we use a stepwise strategy which combined self-recognition and self-assembly processes to construct giant metallo-supramolecules with 8 positional isomers in solution. With the help of ultrahigh-vacuum, low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we were able to unambiguously differentiate 14 isomers on the substrate which correspond to 8 isomers in solution. Through measurement of 162 structures, the experimental probability of each isomer was obtained and compared with the theoretical probability. Such a comparison along with density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggested that although both kinetic and thermodynamic control existed in this self-assembly, the increased experimental probabilities of isomers compared to theoretical probabilities should be attributed to thermodynamic control.

Conformational control of Pd2L4 assemblies with unsymmetrical ligands

With increasing interest in the potential utility of metallo-supramolecular architectures for applications as diverse as catalysis and drug delivery, the ability to develop more complex assemblies is keenly sought after. Despite this, symmetrical ligands have been utilised almost exclusively to simplify the self-assembly process as without a significant driving foa mixture of isomeric products will be obtained. Although a small number of unsymmetrical ligands have been shown to serendipitously form well-defined metallo-supramolecular assemblies, a more systematic study could provide generally applicable information to assist in the design of lower symmetry architectures. Pd2L4 cages are a popular class of metallo-supramolecular assembly; research seeking to introduce added complexity into their structure to further their functionality has resulted in a handful of examples of heteroleptic structures, whilst the use of unsymmetrical ligands remains underexplored. Herein we show that it is possible to design unsymmetrical ligands in which either steric or geometric constraints, or both, can be incorporated into ligand frameworks to ensure exclusive formation of single isomers of three-dimensional Pd2L4 metallo-supramolecular assemblies with high fidelity. In this manner it is possible to access Pd2L4 cage architectures of reduced symmetry, a concept that could allow for the controlled spatial segregation of different functionalities within these systems. The introduction of steric directing groups was also seen to have a profound effect on the cage structures, suggesting that simple ligand modifications could be used to engineer structural properties.

Dynamic Open Coordination Cage from Nonsymmetrical Imidazole-Pyridine Ditopic Ligands for Turn-On/Off Anion Binding

This work demonstrates a new nonconventional ligand design, imidazole/pyridine-based nonsymmetrical ditopic ligands (1 and 1^S ), to construct a dynamic open coordination cage from nonsymmetrical building blocks. Upon complex formation with Pd²⁺ at a 1:4 molar ratio, 1 and 1^S initially form mononuclear PdL₄ complexes (Pd²⁺ (1)₄ and Pd²⁺ (1^S )₄ ) without formation of a cage. The PdL₄ complexes undergo a stoichiometrically controlled structural transition to Pd₂ L₄ open cages ((Pd²⁺ )₂ (1)₄ and (Pd²⁺ )₂ (1^S )₄ ) capable of anion binding, leading to turn-on anion binding. The structural transitions between the Pd₂ L₄ open cage and the PdL₄ complex are reversible. Thus, stoichiometric addition (2 equiv) of free 1^S to the (Pd²⁺ )₂ (1^S )₄ open cage holding a guest anion ((Pd²⁺ )₂ (1^S )₄ ⋅G^- ) enables the structural transition to the Pd²⁺ (1^S )₄ complex, which does not have a cage and thus causes the release of the guest anion (Pd²⁺ (1^S )₄ +G^- ).

Inflating face-capped Pd6L8 coordination cages

Tritopic metalloligands were used to form two Pd6L8-type coordination cages. With molecular weights of more than 15 kDa and PdPd distances of up to 4.2 nm, these complexes are among the largest palladium cages described to date.

Multicomponent Self-Assembly of Metallo-Supramolecular Macrocycles and Cages through Dynamic Heteroleptic Terpyridine Complexation

Spontaneous formation of the heteroleptic cadmium(II) bis(terpyridine) complex under ambient conditions can be achieved by a combination of 6,6''-di(2,6-dimethoxylphenyl)-substituted and unsubstituted terpyridine-based ligands. Building on this dynamic heteroleptic complexation, diverse metallo-supramolecular macrocycles and cages were readily assembled in quantitative yields from the predesigned multicomponent systems. The complementary ligation reinforced self-recognition to facilitate the shape-dependent self-sorting of a four-component dynamic library into two well-defined parallelograms. In addition, the subtle lability difference between homoleptic and heteroleptic complexes led to the site-selective Cd^II -Zn^II transmetalation in the Sierpiński triangle. Facile construction of a dodecanuclear tetrahedral metallocage was also realized by using two self-recognizable tritopic building blocks. The photophysical study of the metallo-supramolecules assembled from the d¹⁰ metal ions revealed intense ligand-based photoluminescence in solution. The self-assembly strategy described here provides an efficient methodology for building pre-programmable, sophisticated supramolecular architectures furnished with photoactivity.

Ligand Aspect Ratio as a Decisive Factor for the Self-Assembly of Coordination Cages

It is possible to control the geometry and the composition of metallasupramolecular assemblies via the aspect ratio of their ligands. This point is demonstrated for a series of iron- and palladium-based coordination cages. Functionalized clathrochelate complexes with variable aspect ratios were used as rod-like metalloligands. A cubic Fe(II)8L12 cage was obtained from a metalloligand with an intermediate aspect ratio. By increasing the length or by decreasing the width of the ligand, the self-assembly process resulted in the clean formation of tetrahedral Fe(II)4L6 cages instead of cubic cages. In a related fashion, it was possible to control the geometry of Pd(II)-based coordination cages. A metalloligand with a large aspect ratio gave an entropically favored tetrahedral Pd(II)4L8 assembly, whereas an octahedral Pd(II)6L12 cage was formed with a ligand of the same length but with an increased width. The aspect ratio can also be used to control the composition of dynamic mixtures of Pd(II) cages. Out of two metalloligands with only marginally different aspect ratios, one gave rise to a self-sorted collection of Pd(II)4L8 and Pd(II)6L12 cages, whereas the other did not.

Pyrazine-based donor tectons: synthesis, self-assembly and characterization

Two donor tectons, each bearing a central pyrazine moiety covalently linked to two pyridine units, have been self-assembled with PtII2 acceptor units to yield ionic nanoscalar metallamacrocycles, having a convex hexagonal cavity.

Self-assembly of triangular metallomacrocycles using unsymmetrical bisterpyridine ligands: isomer differentiation via TWIM mass spectrometry

Three unsymmetrical, 60°-bended bisterpyridine ligands with varying phenylene spacer lengths have been synthesized via the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions. Their self-assembly processes were found to be strongly dependent on the ligand geometry. Upon complexation with Zn(II) ions, only 2,4''-di(4'-terpyridinyl)-1,1':4',1''-terphenyl underwent self-selection to give a trinuclear metallomacrocycle with perfect heteroleptic connectivity and the other two afforded a mixture of constitutional isomers. The metallosupramolecular assemblies were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI MS), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In particular, the identification of isomeric architecture was accomplished using tandem mass spectrometry (MS(2)) coupled with traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM MS).

Shape and size directed self-selection in organic cage formation

The selective formation of a single isomer of a [3+2] self-assembled organic cage from a reaction mixture of an unsymmetrical aldehyde and a flexible amine is discussed. The experimental and theoretical findings suggest that in such a process, the geometric features of the aldehyde play a key role.

Self-assembly of heteroleptic dinuclear metallosupramolecular kites from multivalent ligands via social self-sorting

A Tröger's base-derived racemic bis(1,10-phenanthroline) ligand (rac)-1 and a bis(2,2'-bipyridine) ligand with a central 1,3-diethynylbenzene unit 2 were synthesized. Each of these ligands acts as a multivalent entity for the binding of two copper(I) ions. Upon coordination to the metal ions these two ligands undergo selective self-assembly into heteroleptic dinuclear metallosupramolecular kites in a high-fidelity social self-sorting manner as evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

Self-sorting behavior of a four-component host–guest system and its incorporation into a linear supramolecular alternating copolymer

Self-sorting behavior of a four-component host–guest system was found, which could be utilized to construct a linear supramolecular alternating copolymer.

The self-sorting behavior of circular helicates and molecular knots and links

We report on multicomponent self-sorting to form open circular helicates of different sizes from a primary monoamine, Fe(II) ions, and dialdehyde ligand strands that differ in length and structure by only two oxygen atoms. The corresponding closed circular helicates that are formed from a diamine--a molecular Solomon link and a pentafoil knot--also self-sort, but up to two of the Solomon-link-forming ligand strands can be accommodated within the pentafoil knot structure and are either incorporated or omitted depending on the stage that the components are mixed.

A non-platonic M4L4 complex constructed using heterotopic ligands

An unusual, chloride-capped M₄L₄ complex has been prepared using heterotopic ligands with carboxylate and dipyridyl coordinating sites.

Hydrogen-bond-driven controlled molecular marriage in covalent cages

A supramolecular approach that uses hydrogen-bonding interaction as a driving force to accomplish exceptional self-sorting in the formation of imine-based covalent organic cages is discussed. Utilizing the dynamic covalent chemistry approach from three geometrically similar dialdehydes (A, B, and D) and the flexible triamine tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (X), three new [3+2] self-assembled nanoscopic organic cages have been synthesized and fully characterized by various techniques. When a complex mixture of the dialdehydes and triamine X was subjected to reaction, it was found that only dialdehyde B (which has OH groups for H-bonding) reacted to form the corresponding cage B3X2 selectively. Surprisingly, the same reaction in the absence of aldehyde B yielded a mixture of products. Theoretical and experimental investigations are in complete agreement that the presence of the hydroxyl moiety adjacent to the aldehyde functionality in B is responsible for the selective formation of cage B3X2 from a complex reaction mixture. This spectacular selection was further analyzed by transforming a nonpreferred (non-hydroxy) cage into a preferred (hydroxy) cage B3X2 by treating the former with aldehyde B. The role of the H-bond in partner selection in a mixture of two dialdehydes and two amines has also been established. Moreover, an example of unconventional imine bond metathesis in organic cage-to-cage transformation is reported.

Molecular marriage through partner preferences in covalent cage formation and cage-to-cage transformation

Unprecedented self-sorting of three-dimensional purely organic cages driven by dynamic covalent bonds is described. Four different cages were first synthesized by condensation of two triamines and two dialdehydes separately. When a mixture of all the components was allowed to react, only two cages were formed, which suggests a high-fidelity self-recognition. The issue of the preference of one triamine for a particular dialdehyde was further probed by transforming a non-preferred combination to either of the two preferred combinations by reacting it with the appropriate triamine or dialdehyde.

Equipping metallo-supramolecular macrocycles with functional groups: assemblies of pyridine-substituted urea ligands

A series of di-(m-pyridyl)-urea ligands were prepared and characterized with respect to their conformations by NOESY experiments and crystallography. Methyl substitution in different positions of the pyridine rings provides control over the position of the pyridine N atoms relative to the urea carbonyl group. The ligands were used to self-assemble metallo-supramolecular M(2)L(2) and M(3)L(3) macrocycles which are generated in a finely balanced equilibrium in DMSO and DMF according to DOSY NMR experiments and ESI FTICR mass spectrometry. Again, crystallography was used to characterize the assemblies. Methyl substitution in positions next to the pyridine nitrogen prevents coordination, while the other ligands form small metallo-supramolecular macrocycles. The incorporated urea carbonyl groups provide hydrogen bonding sites which converge towards the center of the assemblies.

Anticancer Activity of Self-Assembled Molecular Rectangles via Arene-Ruthenium Acceptors and a New Unsymmetrical Amide Ligand

Two new and large molecular rectangles 4 and 5 were synthesized from two different arene-ruthenium [Ru(2)(μ-η(4)-C(2)O(4))(MeOH)(2)(η(6)-p-Pr(i)C(6)H(4)Me)(2)][O(3)SCF(3)](2) (2), and [Ru(2) (p-cymene)(2) (donq) (OH(2))(2)] [O(3)SCF(3)](2) (donq = 5,8-dioxydo-1,4-naphthaquinonato) (3) acceptors and a new unsymmetrical N-(4-(pyridin-4-ylethynyl)phenyl) isonicotinamide (1) donor ligand. X-ray crystallography of 4 confirmed a molecular rectangle. The (1)H NMR spectra of both rectangles 4 and 5 showed a mixture of two structural, head-to-tail (HTL) and head-to-head (HTH) type, isomers in a 1:1 ratio. The cytotoxicities of both rectangles have been established against Colo320 (colorectal cancer), A549 (lung cancer), MCF-7(breast cancer) and H1299 (lung cancer) human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity of rectangle 5 was found to be considerably stronger against all cancer cell lines than that of the reference drug cisplatin.

Steric effects control self-sorting in self-assembled clusters

Endohedrally functionalized bis(pyridine) ligands show the ability to self-discriminate when treated with coordinating metals to form self-assembled clusters. Self-sorting between components is controlled by substitution on the interior of the complex. Tuning the size of the internal substituent allows selective heterocluster formation, determined by noncovalent and space-filling interactions. This novel method of self-sorting allows discrimination between ligands of identical geometry and donor type.

Self-Assembly of Coordinative Supramolecular Polygons with Open Binding Sites

The design and synthesis of coordinative supramolecular polygons with open binding sites is described. Coordination-driven self-assembly of 2,6-bis(pyridin-4-ylethynyl)pyridine with 60° and 120° organoplatinum acceptors results in quantitative formation of a supramolecular rhomboid and hexagon, respectively, both bearing open pyridyl binding sites. The structures were determined by multinuclear ((31)P and (1)H) NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry, along with a computational study.

Metal-coordination-driven dynamic heteroleptic architectures

Dynamic heteroleptic coordination at metal centres is quite common in Nature and often related to a specific biological function, such as in zinc finger proteins and in hemoglobin for oxygen transport. To achieve the required high heteroleptic fidelity, representative biological systems avail themselves of "intramolecular" multidentate coordination using the protein backbone as a "superligand". In contrast, dynamic heteroleptic coordination at a single metal centre in solution requires to bind different freely exchanging ligands under thermodynamic control. In this tutorial review we present the emerging principles of how to assemble dissimilar ligands at dynamically exchanging metal centres, with a particular emphasis on using the precepts for the fabrication of heteroleptic supramolecular assemblies in solution.

From 2-fold completive to integrative self-sorting: a five-component supramolecular trapezoid

The amalgamation of two incomplete self-sorting processes into a process that makes quantitative use of all members of the library is described by 2-fold completive self-sorting. Toward this goal, individual metal-ligand binding scenarios were optimized for high thermodynamic stability and best selectivity, by screening a variety of factors, such as steric and electronic effects, pi-pi interactions, and metal-ion specifics. Using optimized, heteroleptic metal-ligand binding motifs, a library of four different ligands (1, 2, 3, 4) and two different metal ions (Zn(2+), Cu(+)) was set up to assess 2-fold completive self-sorting. Out of 20 different combinations, the self-sorting library ended up with only two metal-ligand complexes in basically quantitative yield. To demonstrate the value of 2-fold completive self-sorting for the formation of nanostructures, the optimized, highly selective binding motifs were implemented into three polyfunctional ligands. Their integrative self-sorting in the presence of Zn(2+) and Cu(+) led to the clean formation of the supramolecular trapezoid T, a simple but still unknown supramolecular architecture. The dynamic trapezoid T consists of three different ligands with four different donor-acceptor interactions. Its structure was established by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and by exclusion of alternative structures.

Self-organization in coordination-driven self-assembly

Self-assembly allows for the preparation of highly complex molecular and supramolecular systems from relatively simple starting materials. Typically, self-assembled supramolecules are constructed by combining complementary pairs of two highly symmetric molecular components, thus limiting the chances of forming unwanted side products. Combining asymmetric molecular components or multiple complementary sets of molecules in one complex mixture can produce myriad different ordered and disordered supramolecular assemblies. Alternatively, spontaneous self-organization phenomena can promote the formation of specific product(s) out of a collection of multiple possibilities. Self-organization processes are common throughout much of nature and are especially common in biological systems. Recently, researchers have studied self-organized self-assembly in purely synthetic systems. This Account describes our investigations of self-organization in the coordination-driven self-assembly of platinum(II)-based metallosupramolecules. The modularity of the coordination-driven approach to self-assembly has allowed us to systematically study a wide variety of different factors that can control the extent of supramolecular self-organization. In particular, we have evaluated the effects of the symmetry and polarity of ambidentate donor subunits, differences in geometrical parameters (e.g., the size, angularity, and dimensionality) of Pt(II)-based acceptors and organic donors, the influence of temperature and solvent, and the effects of intermolecular steric interactions and hydrophobic interactions on self-organization. Our studies have shown that the extent of self-organization in the coordination-driven self-assembly of both 2D polygons and 3D polyhedra ranges from no organization (a statistical mixture of multiple products) to amplified organization (wherein a particular product or products are favored over others) and all the way to the absolute self-organization of discrete supramolecular assemblies. In many cases, inputs such as dipolar interactions, steric interactions, and differences in the geometric parameters of subunits, used either alone or as multiple factors simultaneously, can achieve absolute self-organization of discrete supramolecules. We have also observed instances where self-organization is not absolute and varies in its deviation from statistical results. Steric interactions are particularly useful control factors for driving such amplified self-organization because they can be subtly tuned through small structural variations. Having the ability to fully understand and control the self-organization of complex mixtures into specific synthetic supramolecules can provide a better understanding of analogous processes in biological systems. Furthermore, self-organization may allow for the facile synthesis of complex multifunctional, multicomponent systems from simply mixing a collection of much simpler, judiciously designed individual molecular components.