Subcomponent Self-Assembly: A Quick Way to New Metallogels

Abstract

Subcomponent self-assembly, introduced by the Nitschke group,[1] is a process which allow complex structures to be generated from simple building blocks (generally aldehydes and amines). In this bottom-up approach, the building blocks spontaneously self-assemble around templates (usually metal ions) leading to a simultaneous covalent (C=N) and dative (N– metal) bonds formation. The method has been successfully used to construct well-defined metal-organic macrocycles, helicates, catenanes, rotaxanes, grids,[2] and cages.[3] Our field of interest lies not in building-up of defined structures but in designing gelator molecules for a formation of supramolecular gels as functional nanomaterials. Herein, we report on a facile and quick method which leads to an in situ preparation of supramolecular metallogels by applying the concept of subcomponent selfassembly. We found that by utilizing this approach, multistimuliresponsive metallogels become easily accessible and tunable.