title: Beyond molecules: mesoporous supramolecular frameworks self-assembled from coordination cages and inorganic anions.
abstract: Biological function arises by the assembly of individual biomolecular modules into large aggregations or highly complex architectures. A similar strategy is adopted in supramolecular chemistry to assemble complex and highly ordered structures with advanced functions from simple components. Here we report a series of diamond-like supramolecular frameworks featuring mesoporous cavities, which are assembled from metal-imidazolate coordination cages and various anions. Small components (metal ions, amines, aldehydes, and anions) are assembled into the hierarchical complex structures through multiple interactions including covalent bonds, dative bonds, and weak C-H⋅⋅⋅X (X=O, F, and π) hydrogen bonds. The mesoporous cavities are large enough to trap organic dye molecules, coordination cages, and vitamin B12. The study is expected to inspire new types of crystalline supramolecular framework materials based on coordination motifs and inorganic ions.
authors: Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Preparation and Application of Ordered Structural Materials of Guangdong Province, Shantou University, Guangdong 515063 (P. R. China).
authors: Dong
authors: D
authors: Luo
authors: Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Preparation and Application of Ordered Structural Materials of Guangdong Province, Shantou University, Guangdong 515063 (P. R. China). zhouxp@stu.edu.cn.
authors: Xiao-Ping
authors: XP
authors: Zhou
authors: Department of Chemistry and Key Laboratory for Preparation and Application of Ordered Structural Materials of Guangdong Province, Shantou University, Guangdong 515063 (P. R. China). dli@stu.edu.cn.
authors: Dan
authors: D
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000838:Anions / Q000737:chemistry; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D007093:Imidazoles; D008670:Metals; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C029899:imidazole
keywords: coordination cages; hydrogen bonds; imidazole; self-assembly; supramolecular frameworks