Design, synthesis, and characterization of hybrid metal-ligand hydrogen-bonded (MLHB) supramolecular architectures

Despite the prevalence of supramolecular architectures derived from metal-ligand or hydrogen-bonding interactions, few studies have focused on the simultaneous use of these two strategies to form discrete assemblies. Here we report the use of a supramolecular tecton containing both metal-binding and self-complementary hydrogen-bonding interactions that upon treatment with metal precursors assembles into discrete hybrid metal-ligand hydrogen-bonded assemblies with closed topology. (1)H NMR DOSY experiments established the stability of the structures in solution, and the measured hydrodynamic radii match those determined crystallographically, suggesting that the closed topology is maintained both in solution and in the solid state. Taken together, these results demonstrate the validity of using both hydrogen-bonding and metal-ligand interactions to form stable supramolecular architectures.