Steric Effects Control Self-Sorting in Self-Assembled Clusters

Endohedrally functionalized bis(pyridine) ligands show the ability to self-discriminate when treated with coordinating metals to form self-assembled clusters. Self-sorting between components is controlled by substitution on the interior of the complex. Tuning the size of the internal substituent allows selective heterocluster formation, determined by noncovalent and space-filling interactions. This novel method of self-sorting allows discrimination between ligands of identical geometry and donor type.