Self-Assembly of an [M8L24]16+ Intertwined Cube and a Giant [M12L16]24+ Orthobicupola

Through coordination-driven self-assembly, aesthetically captivating structures can be formed by tuning the length or flexibility of various components. The self-assembly of an elongated rigid terphenyl-based tetra-pyridyl ligand (L1) with a cis-Pd(II) acceptor produces an [M(12)L1(6)](24+) triangular orthobicupola structure (1). When flexibility is introduced into the ligand by the incorporation of a -CH2- group between the dipyridylamine and terphenyl rings in the ligand (L2), anunique [M(8)L2(4)](16+) water-soluble 'intertwined cubic structure' (2) results. The inherent flexibility of ligand L2 might be the key factor behind the formation of the thermodynamically stable and ' intertwined cubic structure ' in this scenario. This research showcases the ability to design and fabricate novel, topologically distinctive molecular structures by a straightforward and efficient approach.

Automated summary

Aesthetically captivating structures can be formed by tuning the length or flexibility of various components through coordination-driven self-assembly. This research showcases the ability to design and fabricate novel, topologically distinctive molecular structures by a straightforward and efficient approach.