One-Step Multicomponent Self-Assembly of a First-Generation Sierpinski Triangle: From Fractal Design to Chemical Reality

A novel terpyridine-based architecture that mimics a first-generation Sierpinski triangle has been synthesized by multicomponent assembly and features tpy-Cd-II-tpy connectivity (tpy=terpyridine). The key terpyridine ligands were synthesized by the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction. Mixing two different terpyridine-based ligands and Cd-II in a precise stoichiometric ratio (1: 1: 3) produced the desired fractal architecture in near-quantitative yield. Characterization was accomplished by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy.