title: A high-symmetry coordination cage from 38- or 62-component self-assembly.
abstract: Artificial molecular architecture from a large number of subcomponents (>50) via self-assembly remains a formidable challenge for chemists. Reaction of 38 components [14 Ni(2+) and 24 N-methyl-1-(4-imidazolyl)methanimine] under solvothermal conditions reproducibly leads to the formation of a high-symmetry coordination cage. This polyhedral cage can also be obtained in high yield by self-assembly of 62 commercially available subcomponents (24 methylamine, 24 4-formylimidazole, and 14 Ni(2+)) under mild conditions involving synchronized formation of both dynamic covalent bonds and coordination bonds. Guest molecules (e.g., water, methylamine, and methanol) are randomly imprisoned in the cage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Shantou University, Guangdong 515063, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shun-Ze
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Ju-Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kwan-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Raymond Wai-Yin
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chi-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Che