title: Hierarchical self-assembly of amphiphilic metallohosts to give discrete nanostructures.
abstract: The synthesis and aggregation behavior of a new class of rigid metallohosts is described. The molecules consist of a ruthenium-bipyridine complex functionalized with a glycoluril-based receptor cavity. By specific molecular recognition processes in water, the metallohosts self-assemble to form large arrays of molecules. Depending on the size of the cavity side walls of the host, these arrays can grow in a hierarchical process into discrete rectangular and cigar-like aggregates of nanometer size, which can be visualized by electron microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry, NSR Center, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands. jelemans@sci.kun.nl
authors.forename: Johannes A A W
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Elemans
authors.forename: Alan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: Roeland J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nolte