title: Molecular borromean rings.
abstract: The realization of the Borromean link in a wholly synthetic molecular form is reported. The self-assembly of this link, which is topologically achiral, from 18 components by the template-directed formation of 12 imine and 30 dative bonds, associated with the coordination of three interlocked macrocycles, each tetranucleating and decadentate overall, to a total of six zinc(II) ions, is near quantitative. Three macrocycles present diagonally in pairs, six exo-bidentate bipyridyl and six endo-diiminopyridyl ligands to the six zinc(II) ions. The use, in concert, of coordination, supramolecular, and dynamic covalent chemistry allowed the highly efficient construction, by multiple cooperative self-assembly processes, of a nanoscale dodecacation with an approximate diameter of 2.5 nanometers and an inner chamber of volume 250 A(3), lined with 12 oxygen atoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Chichak
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cantrill
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pease
authors.forename: Sheng-Hsien
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Gareth W V
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Cave
authors.forename: Jerry L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.forename: J Fraser
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stoddart