Supramolecular Engineering of Perylene Bisimide Assemblies Based on Complementary Multiple Hydrogen Bonding Interactions

Perylene bisimide (PBI) dyes are among the most extensively studied functional pbuilding blocks and have outstanding optical and electronic properties. Most PBI assemblies that have been reported so far are based on one-dimensional stacks formed mainly by directional p-p interactions between quadrupolar p-systems of PBIs. More complex and elaborate supramolecular assemblies of PBIs can be constructed by using highly directional and specific intermolecular glues, such as complementary multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, and the resulting assemblies are expected to show unique functional properties. In this Focus Review, we will discuss highly-organized assemblies of PBI dyes, the self-assembled architectures of which are rationally controlled by directional, complementary multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions. An overview of the construction principles of such systems is included, but special attention is focused on the significant progress achieved after the seminal review about supramolecular architectures of PBI dyes by Wurthner in 2004.