Programmed assembly of 4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridine derivatives into porous, on-surface networks

4,2′:6′,4′′-Terpyridine building blocks self-assemble into hydrogen-bonded domains; addition of copper atoms results in an on-surface transformation into a coordination network.

Greasy tails switch 1D-coordination [{Zn2(OAc)4(4′-(4-ROC6H4)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)}n] polymers to discrete [Zn2(OAc)4(4′-(4-ROC6H4)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)2] complexes

Polymers [{Zn₂(OAc)₄(4′-(4-ROC₆H₄)-4,2′:6′,4′′-tpy)}_n] with dominant π-stacking interactions are favoured for small RO groups; with long chains, there is a switch to discrete molecules.

Terpyridine-functionalized surfaces: redox-active, switchable, and electroactive nanoarchitecturesgland

Terpyridines represent versatile functional supramolecular building blocks that are easily integrated in numerous devices and can readily modify surfaces. In particular, redox-active complexes with terpyridine ligands have been attached to surfaces, either by covalent or non-covalent interactions, and form highly ordered mono- or multilayer systems, since electronic and charge transport properties are major topics of interest. Their applications in nanoelectronics are a driving force for understanding and enabling the utilization of the supramolecular properties of terpyridines for surface modification. This area of research has received increasing attention during the last decade leading into the supramacromolecular regime. This Progress Report presents an overview of the state-of-the-art of surface modifications utilizing terpyridine systems and highlights main results, as well as modern trends, in this research area.

Structural selection of graphene supramolecular assembly oriented by molecular conformation and alkyl chain

Graphene molecules, hexafluorotribenzo[a,g,m]coronene with n-carbon alkyl chains (FTBC-Cn, n = 4, 6, 8, 12) and Janus-type "double-concave" conformation, are used to fabricate self-assembly on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface. The structural dependence of the self-assemblies with molecular conformation and alkyl chain is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculation. An interesting reverse face "up-down" way is observed in FTBC-C4 assembly due to the existence of hydrogen bonds. With the increase of the alkyl chain length and consequently stronger van der Waals interaction, the molecules no longer take alternating "up-down" orientation in their self-assembly and organize into various adlayers with lamellar, hexagonal honeycomb, and pseudohoneycomb structures based on the balance between intermolecular and molecule-substrate interactions. The results demonstrate that the featured "double-concave" molecules are available block for designing graphene nanopattern. From the results of scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurement, it is found that the electronic property of the featured graphene molecules is preserved when they are adsorbed on solid surface.

Superperiodic assembly of 2,6-diethynylpyridine through weak hydrogen bonds at the 1-phenyloctane/HOPG interface

Regardless of the absence of alkyl chains and conventional hydrogen bonding sites as well as its small size, 2,6-diethynylpyridine forms an ordered array at the interface between 1-phenyloctane and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) under room temperature conditions, as revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy. We propose a model for the superperiodic molecular arrangement with reference to the bulk crystal structure, in which the surface pattern is governed by weak C-H...N and C-H...pi hydrogen bonds as well as the periodic potential of the underlying graphite surface.

2,2':6',2''-terpyridines: from chemical obscurity to common supramolecular motifs

This tutorial review describes the use of 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy) metal-binding domains in supramolecular chemistry. The origins of tpy chemistry are described and the reasons for its current importance in supramolecular chemistry are explained. Examples of tpy compounds in a wide variety of supramolecular chemistry are presented. The content will be of interest to organic, inorganic, supramolecular and nanoscale chemists.