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

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.