Controllable Synthesis of a Highly Ordered Polymeric Structure Assembled from Cobalt-Cluster-based Racemic Supramolecules

Abstract

Metallosupramolecule-based polymeric platforms with high degrees of hierarchy and tailorable functionalities are of great interests because of their unique morphologies and potential applications. Herein, the controllable synthesis of a highly-ordered polymeric structure, {[M,P-Co-8(PDA)(6)(HIP)(3)(DMF)(5)(H2O)](3)-[Co(DMF)(H2O)(2)]} (1) (PDA=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, HIP=5-hydroxyisophthalate, DMF=dimethylformamide) with unique topology is reported. The solid-state structure of 1 reveals that it is alternately and periodically assembled from racemic supramolecular monomers to form a zigzag-shaped polymeric strand. Discrete racemic supramolecules (2) with topologies similar to those of monomeric species of 1 are also controllably synthesized in a separate reaction. Formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between supramolecules associated with hydroxyl groups of HIPs are critical for the unique solid-state packing geometries of 1 and 2.