Ligand-controlled self-assembly of polynuclear lanthanide-oxo/hydroxo complexes: from synthetic serendipity to rational supramolecular design

Lanthanide ions and complexes occupy a special position in developing synthetic nucleases capable of catalyzing the hydrolytic cleavage of RNA or DNA. Stimulated by a number of serendipitous lanthanide complexes that feature the common active-site structure of dinuclear metallo-phosphodiesterases, rational design and synthesis of polynuclear lanthanide-hydroxo species via ligand-controlled hydrolysis of the lanthanide ions were attempted. The efforts yielded a series of highly sophisticated yet structurally well-defined lanthanide-hydroxo complexes. These materials are potentially applicable to the study of biomimetic catalysis of phosphate diester cleavage. Research highlights are described in this Feature Article.