Noncovalent Synthesis of Nanostructures: Combining Coordination Chemistry and Hydrogen Bonding

摘要

For the synthesis of nanosized particles with structures defined at the molecular level, conventional methods of multistep covalent synthesis have reached their limitations. Consequently, noncovalent synthetic methodologies that equal the precision ofcovalent synthesis but proceed by simple assembly of building blocks are needed. Such methods should be self-correcting under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium. Zimmerman et al. have exploited hydrogen bonding in the self-assembly of dendrimers centered around a hydrogen-bonded, hexameric nucleus, and we have described a divergent assembly route to dendrimers using coordination chemistry. Hitherto, the combination of two different types of compatible, noncovalent interactions for the assembly offinite nanostructures has not been employed. Here we describe the combined use of hydrogen bonding and coordination chemistry in the assembly of nanosized metallodendrimers with molecular weights of up to. 28 kDa. The combination of three metallodendrimer wedges, constructed by coordination chemistry, into a hydrogen-bonded rosette allows fast and controlled assembly of nanostructures by both divergent and convergent strategies.