Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:40
Synthesis of a Water-soluble Metal–Organic Complex Array
Published on: October 8, 2016
Molecularly designed architectures--the metalloligand way
1Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007, India. rgupta@chemistry.du.ac.in.
Chemical Society Reviews
|October 2, 2013
Summary
Scientists are developing methods to control the architecture of materials using metalloligands. This approach enables the creation of ordered networks with specific properties for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Coordination Chemistry
Background:
- Material properties are highly dependent on their architecture.
- Predicting and controlling network architecture is a significant scientific challenge.
- Molecular building blocks are key to transitioning from single molecules to complex networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in generating ordered networks using molecular building blocks.
- To highlight the unique role of metalloligands in constructing designed architectures.
- To discuss strategies for synthesizing functional materials with tailor-made applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing well-defined coordination complexes (metalloligands) as molecular building blocks.
- Employing metalloligands with hydrogen bond sensitive functional groups.
- Employing metalloligands with coordination bond responsive groups.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the construction of highly-ordered networks through metalloligand strategies.
- Showcased the structural rigidity and pre-organization offered by metalloligands.
- Explored self-assembly via weak interactions (hydrogen bonds) and secondary metal ion coordination.
Conclusions:
- Metalloligands offer a unique and effective route to construct designed, ordered material architectures.
- Strategies involving hydrogen bond sensitivity and coordination bond responsiveness lead to ordered networks.
- This review provides new insights for creating functional materials via metalloligands for practical applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
01:19Complexation Equilibria: The Chelate Effect
In complexation reactions, metal atoms or cations interact with ligands to form donor-acceptor adducts called metal complexes. Ligands that bind through one donor site are monodentate, ligands with two donor sites are bidentate, and those with more than two donor sites are polydentate ligands. For example, ethylene diamine is a bidentate ligand that binds through two nitrogen donor atoms, forming a five-membered ring. EDTA is a polydentate ligand that binds through four oxygen and two nitrogen...
02:42Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
00:43Complexometric Titration: Ligands
Different monodentate and polydentate ligands are used as complexing agents in complexometric titration reactions. The formation of complexes by mono- and bidentate ligands involves two or more intermediate steps, limiting their use as complexing agents. In comparison, polydentate ligands can form complexes with metal ions in a single-step process, facilitating sharper end points. This means polydentate ligands, such as amino carboxylic acid derivatives, are most commonly employed in...
02:40Ligand Binding Sites
Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
02:40Ligand Binding Sites
Proteins are dynamic macromolecules that carry out a wide variety of essential processes; however, the activities of most proteins depend on their interactions with other molecules or ions, known as ligands.
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...