Adaptive Self-Assembly and Induced-Fit Interconversions between Molecular Borromean Rings, Russian Dolls and Ring-in-Ring Complexes

摘要

Herein,we report an artificially assembled interlocked system that features adaptive self-assembly and induced-fit transformation properties in the presence of appropriate guest molecules.By careful choice of solvent and guests,a molecular Borromean rings complex based on organometallic half-sandwich units could be transformed in a stepwise manner to a ring-in-ring complex and a monomeric rectangle,leading to a conversion cycle between these structures.This adaptive self-assembly method was further applied to the construction of a Russian dolls complex,forming another conversion cycle composed of a molecular Borromean rings complex,a Russian dolls complex and a monomeric rectangle.A comprehensive map showing all of the structural transformations between these metallarectangles and interlocked species is drawn up,representing a recoverable and recyclable transformation mechanism.