2D supramolecular assemblies of benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoic acid: temperature-induced phase transformations and hierarchical organization with macrocyclic molecules.
Two-dimensional supramolecular honeycomb networks with cavities of an internal diameter of 2.95 nm were formed by the self-assembly of 4,4',4' '-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoic acid (BTA) on a Ag(111) surface at room temperature. Annealing to higher temperatures resulted in two sequential phase transformations into closer-packed supramolecular arrangements. The phase transformations are associated with stepwise deprotonation of the carboxylic acid groups. The voids of the honeycomb network of BTA have a suitable size for the construction of hierarchical structures with guest molecules. Single molecules of the macrocyclic compound mt-33 were successfully confined inside 2D nanocavities of the honeycomb networks and released when the phase was transformed to the close-packed structure.
Ruben
Mario
M
Institut für Nanotechnologie, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, PF 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. mario.ruben@int.fzk.de
Payer
Dietmar
D
Landa
Aitor
A
Comisso
Alessio
A
Gattinoni
Chiara
C
Lin
Nian
N
Collin
Jean-Paul
JP
Sauvage
Jean-Pierre
JP
De Vita
Alessandro
A
Kern
Klaus
K