Hierarchical self-assembly of amphiphilic metallohosts to give discrete nanostructures.
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.
Elemans
Johannes A A W
JA
Department of Organic Chemistry, NSR Center, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands. jelemans@sci.kun.nl
Rowan
Alan E
AE
Nolte
Roeland J M
RJ