Themed collection Supramolecular chemistry: self-assembly and molecular recognition

Fluorescence signaling systems that give enhancement in the presence of first-row transition metal ions are discussed.

We discuss early advances in the incorporation of radicals into the ever evolving class of materials known as metal–organic frameworks.

Pd(II)-directed self-assembly of homoleptic metal–polypyridyl complexes functionalized with 3-pyridyl groups gives rise to supramolecular metallo-triangles as confirmed by a combination of analytical techniques.

The spin-crossover equilibrium midpoint temperature (T_1/2) in [Fe(3-bpp)₂]X₂ (3-bpp = 2,6-di{pyrazol-3-yl}pyridine) varies from 259 K when X⁻ = BPh₄⁻ to 277 K when X⁻ = Br⁻, in a polar acetone–water solvent mixture.

Co-assembly of FRET donor–acceptor pair facilitates highly efficient energy transfer in gel state.

CdSe and CdSe–ZnS nanocrystal aggregates are formed in solution in the presence of a bis(bipyridinium) species, and disrupted upon addition of a macrocyclic host.

The self-assembly of interpenetrated double-cages was examined with respect to various synthetic modifications of the dibenzosuberone backbone.

A series of functionalized cyclometallated rhodium and iridium coordination assemblies 2–7 displaying a π-bonded dioxolene ligand is described.

K⁺ is encapsulated by 2 : 2 complexes of tetravalent zirconium or hafnium with the calix[4]arene podand 1H₄ carrying four cyclic hydroxamate binding units.

Pyrazine mono-N-oxide reacts with silver salts to form either discrete complexes involving monodentate N-coordination or 1D coordination polymers in which the ligand acts in a N,O-bridging bidentate coordination mode.

Three thiourea ligands and their dirhenium(I) complexes are reported that show an unusual cooperative binding to two dihydrogenphosphate anions; this could explain the high selectivity for phosphate in many reported anion receptors.

“Click” reactions allow functionalizing azide-terminated gold surfaces with host and guest molecules to examine molecular recognition at interfaces.

A ligand possessing two orthogonal metal binding sites is designed to bind three-fold and four-fold symmetric metal ions in such a way as to form a cage.

Exploiting a simple harmonic potential for modelling intermolecular interactions results in chemically intuitive correlations connecting molecular volumes with melting enthalpies and entropies.

Hand held sensing kits for detecting nerve agents simulants.

Two Cu(II) coordination polymers prepared from 1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid and 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid form 3-D coordination polymers described by the lvt topology, and their frameworks are either of closed or open forms, respectively.

Three new heterobimetallic complexes have been synthesised facilely in high yield and purity from a symmetric homoditopic pyrimidine-hydrazone ligand in a one-pot, two step reaction.

Chiral polyphenyl-bridged bis(2,2′-bipyridine) ligands L2–4 give intense CD signals when protonated with tetrachloroferric acid or perchloric acid. X-ray crystal structure of [(L2)₂H₂](FeCl₄)₂ shows that a double-stranded helix stabilized by both interior and exterior hydrogen bonding is formed. Theoretical DFT calculations show that such stabilization exists in solution.

The use of the bis-triazolium motif to prepare potent anion receptors is described. A bis-triazolium axle containing rotaxane exhibits selective halide anion recognition in competitive solvent media.

Model ruthenium(II) photosensitizers with long alkyl chains are assembled into ordered monolayers on water with or without an anionic polyoxometallate. LB films on mica substrates are visualized using AFM.

Ligand exchange processes of metalla-rectangles have been explored using ¹H/²D isotope labelling, showing that ligand exchange does not proceed spontaneously.

The anion complexation properties of a fluorinated alcohol that is isosteric with a simple isophthalamide revealed that the alcohol can complex weakly basic anions with stability constants greater than those of the isophthalamide.