The shape of metallosupramolecular assemblies

Area of Science:

• Coordination Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Bioinorganic Chemistry

Background:

• The control of stereochemistry in ligand-bridged oligonuclear assemblies presents a significant challenge.
• Ligand-bridged assemblies based on tris(bidentate) components have seen progress in stereochemical control over the past two decades.
• Distinct physical properties arise from different stereoisomers of these complex species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development and current state of the "stereochemical problem" in ligand-bridged oligonuclear assemblies.
• To demonstrate the application of stereochemical control in dinuclear and trinuclear complexes.
• To highlight the use of these controlled assemblies in studying intramolecular electron transfer and nucleic acid interactions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of stereochemical control strategies in ligand-bridged complexes.
• Investigation of physical characteristics differentiating stereoisomers.
• Application of stereochemically defined complexes in electron transfer studies.
• Utilisation of these complexes to probe nucleic acid interactions.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in controlling the stereochemistry of ligand-bridged oligonuclear assemblies.
• Stereoisomers of these complexes exhibit observable differences in their physical properties.
• Stereochemical control has enabled detailed studies of intramolecular electron transfer.
• The sequence- and structure-selectivity of interactions with nucleic acids can be probed using these assemblies.

Conclusions:

• The control of stereochemistry in ligand-bridged oligonuclear assemblies is feasible and has advanced considerably.
• Stereochemical integrity is crucial for understanding electron transfer processes within these assemblies.
• These precisely controlled complexes serve as valuable tools for investigating molecular recognition events with nucleic acids.