Design of Assemblies of Functionalized Nanoscopic Gridlike Coordination Arrays

The controlled arrangement of metal ions into specific arrays and patterns is one of the major goals in modern metallo-supramolecular chemistry. Such two- or three- dimensional superstructures, formed by programmed self-assembly from mixtures of organic ligands and metal ions, potentially may display new magnetic, photochemical or redox properties. As a result, they can be used as building blocks for novel functional supramolecular assemblies. A recent investigation into synthesis and properties of tetranuclear [2 x 2]-grid complexes using 4,6-bis(6-(2,2'-bipyridyl))pyrimidine and its derivatives as ligands and metal ions such as cobalt(II) or zinc(II) has been extended to include peripherally functionalized analogues. These ligands and grids open avenues towards polymolecular assemblies and supramolecular polymers with novel material properties. The hydroxy-functionalized coordination arrays were found to form extended molecular assemblies, as visualized by microscopic techniques.