Metal-Coordination-Induced Fusion Creates Hollow Crystalline Molecular Superstructures

Maria Chiara di Gregorio, Priyadarshi Ranjan, Lothar Houben, Linda J. W. Shimon, Katya Rechav, Michal Lahav, Milko E. van der Boom

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this work, we report the formation of superstructures assembled from organic tubular crystals mediated by metal-coordination chemistry. This template-free process involves the crystallization of molecules into crystals having a rectangular and uniform morphology, which then go on to fuse together into multibranched superstructures. The initially hollow and organic crystals are obtained under solvothermal conditions in the presence of a copper salt, whereas the superstructures are subsequently formed by aging the reaction mixture at room temperature. The mild thermodynamic conditions and the favorable kinetics of this unique self-assembly process allowed us to ex-situ monitor the superstructure formation by electron microscopy, highlighting a pivotal and unusual role for copper ions in their formation and stabilization.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9132-9139
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume140
Issue number29
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Jul 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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