Polymer Science Faculty Research

Title

Probing a Hidden World of Molecular Self-Assembly: Concentration-Dependent, Three-Dimensional Supramolecular Interconversions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 12-31-2014

Abstract

A terpyridine-based, concentration-dependent, facile self-assembly process is reported, resulting in two three-dimensional metallosupramolecular architectures, a bis-rhombus and a tetrahedron, which are formed using a two-dimensional, planar, tris-terpyridine ligand. The interconversion between these two structures is concentration-dependent: at a concentration higher than 12 mg mL(-1), only a bis-rhombus, composed of eight ligands and 12 Cd2+ ions, is formed; whereas a self-assembled tetrahedron, composed of four ligands and six Cd2+ ions, appears upon sufficient dilution of the tris-terpyridine-metal solution. At concentrations less than 0.5 mg mL(-1), only the tetrahedron possessing an S-4 symmetry axis is detected; upon attempted isolation, it quantitatively reverts to the bis-rhombus. This observation opens an unexpected door to unusual chemical pathways under high dilution conditions.

Publication Title

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Volume

136

Issue

52

First Page

18149

Last Page

18155

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