2011 November 9 | Rajesh Chakrabarty, Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, and Peter J Stang
Supramolecular coordination chemistry has evolved into a mature field with significant applications in various scientific disciplines. This review discusses the self-assembly of finite two- and three-dimensional supramolecular ensembles, focusing on coordination-driven self-assembly. The self-assembly process utilizes non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, charge-charge, donor-acceptor, π-π stacking, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions to form large supramolecules with unique physicochemical properties. The process is often kinetically reversible, allowing for the formation of thermodynamically stable structures. Coordination-driven self-assembly provides greater control over the design of 2D and 3D architectures by leveraging the predictable nature of metal-ligand coordination and ligand lability. This approach has enabled the synthesis of a wide variety of 2D and 3D molecular architectures, including rhomboids, squares, triangles, cubes, and various cages. The design of these structures relies on the use of specific metal-ligand interactions and the strategic selection of metals and ligands to achieve desired geometries and binding motifs. The review highlights various synthetic strategies, including directional bonding, symmetry interaction, paneling, weak link, and dimetallic building block approaches, which have been used to construct complex supramolecular ensembles. These strategies have led to the development of functional molecular materials with unique properties, such as molecular flasks, supramolecular catalysts, and nanomaterials. The review also discusses the synthesis and characterization of various 2D and 3D supramolecular ensembles, including molecular rhomboids, triangles, and squares, and their functional properties. The self-assembly of these structures has been shown to be highly dependent on the choice of metals and ligands, as well as the reaction conditions. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying principles of coordination-driven self-assembly to design and synthesize complex supramolecular materials with desired properties.Supramolecular coordination chemistry has evolved into a mature field with significant applications in various scientific disciplines. This review discusses the self-assembly of finite two- and three-dimensional supramolecular ensembles, focusing on coordination-driven self-assembly. The self-assembly process utilizes non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, charge-charge, donor-acceptor, π-π stacking, van der Waals, and hydrophobic interactions to form large supramolecules with unique physicochemical properties. The process is often kinetically reversible, allowing for the formation of thermodynamically stable structures. Coordination-driven self-assembly provides greater control over the design of 2D and 3D architectures by leveraging the predictable nature of metal-ligand coordination and ligand lability. This approach has enabled the synthesis of a wide variety of 2D and 3D molecular architectures, including rhomboids, squares, triangles, cubes, and various cages. The design of these structures relies on the use of specific metal-ligand interactions and the strategic selection of metals and ligands to achieve desired geometries and binding motifs. The review highlights various synthetic strategies, including directional bonding, symmetry interaction, paneling, weak link, and dimetallic building block approaches, which have been used to construct complex supramolecular ensembles. These strategies have led to the development of functional molecular materials with unique properties, such as molecular flasks, supramolecular catalysts, and nanomaterials. The review also discusses the synthesis and characterization of various 2D and 3D supramolecular ensembles, including molecular rhomboids, triangles, and squares, and their functional properties. The self-assembly of these structures has been shown to be highly dependent on the choice of metals and ligands, as well as the reaction conditions. The review emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying principles of coordination-driven self-assembly to design and synthesize complex supramolecular materials with desired properties.