Metallacrown-based compounds: Applications in catalysis, luminescence, molecular magnetism, and adsorption

Metallacrowns (MCs) obtained by changing the -[C-C-0]- fragments of organic crown ethers on -[M-N-0]- or -[M-N-N]- units have been developed extensively in the past few decades. A vast array of unique MCs with diverse structural patterns and accessible topologies can provide non-trivial functional properties. This review describes the applications of MCs in catalysis, luminescence, and magnetism. Examples of porous lattices based on MCs as secondary building units are also discussed, including their thermal stability, sorption properties, and applications in the separation or exchange of cations or anions. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.