Self-assembly with postmodification: kinetically stabilized metalla-supramolecular rectangles.

Interaction of a predesigned molecular "clip" (4) with rigid dipyridyl bridging ligands, in acetone/water mixtures, leads to the formation of molecular rectangles (5-8) in 92-97% isolated yields via spontaneous self-assembly. Characterization was accomplished with multinuclear NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The length of these metallamacrocycles ranges from 2 to 3 nm. Postmodification via non-nucleophilic counterion exchange results in enhanced structural integrity for the assemblies.

Coordination-driven assembly of molecular rectangles via an organometallic "clip".

The combination of linear dipyridyl ligands with a new type of modular building unit, based upon a 1,8-platinum-functionalized anthracene, leads to the self-organization of rectangular frameworks. X-ray crystallography confirms the cyclic structure of the supramolecular cationic complexes. Spectral assignments were provided by 2D NOESY (1)H NMR experiments.