title: Designing artificial 3D helicates: unprecedented self-assembly of homo-octanuclear tetrapods with europium.
abstract: Herein, we report on the rational design, preparation and characterization of a novel homo-octanuclear helicate, which results from a spatial extension of the central tetranuclear platform. The 3D supramolecular assembly is obtained by complexing europium(III) with a new hexatopic tripodal ligand. The isolated octanuclear helicate is fully characterized by different methods clearly evidencing the structure predicted with molecular modelling. The ligand preorganization plays a crucial role in a successful self-assembly process and induces the formation of a well-defined triple-stranded helical structure. This prototypal octanuclear edifice accommodating functional lanthanides within a 3D scaffold offers attractive perspectives for further applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Geneva 4 (Switzerland).
authors.forename: Soumaila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zebret
authors.forename: Eliane
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vögele
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klumpler
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamacek
keywords: europium; helicates; octanuclear; self-assembly; supramolecular chemistry