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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
Self-assembly of rectangles and prisms via a molecular "clip"
Duckhyun Kim1, Jong Hyub Paek, Moo-Jin Jun
1Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Jochiwon, Chungnam.
Abstract:
Aromatic molecular "clips" bearing two symmetrically bound platinum moieties have been prepared. The molecular "clip" 4 readily self-assembled with linear linkers such as 4,4'-bipyridyl, 1,4-bis[2-(4-isocyano-3,5-diisopropylphenyl)ethynyl]benzene, and nicotinic acid to form molecular rectangles. The overall dimensions of the rectangle 7 were 7.3 Angstroms x 15.3 Angstroms. The molecular "clip" also self-assembled with tritopic pyridyl and isocyanide ligands to form trigonal prismatic frameworks. The characterization of the supramolecules by multinuclear NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal structures is also reported.
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The organic molecules rotate across the single bonds leading to numerous temporary three-dimensional structures of varying energy known as conformers.

