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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Self-Assembled MOF-Polymer Composites
Published on: June 14, 2024
Self-Assembled M₂L₄ Nanocapsules: Synthesis, Structure and Host-Guest Recognition Toward Square Planar Metal
Christophe Desmarets1,2, Thierry Ducarre3,4, Marie Noelle Rager5
1Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (IPCM) UMR 8232, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France. christophe.desmarets@upmc.fr.
Abstract:
Metallosupramolecular cages of the general formulas [M₂(L)₄][X]₄ can be self-assembled in good yields, where M = Pd, X = NO₃, L = L¹ (1a); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L¹ (1b); M = Pt, X = OTf, L = L¹ (2); M = Pd, X = OTf, L = L² (3); L¹ = 1,3-bis(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)-5-methoxybenzene; and L² = 2,6-(pyridin-3-ylethynyl)- 4-methoxyaniline, respectively. These cages have been fully characterized using ¹H, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Additionally the molecular structure of [Pd₂(L¹)₄][OTf]₄ (1b) was confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The capacity of central cavities of M₂L₄ cages to accommodate square planar metal complexes was investigated. In particular, the tetracationic cage [Pd₂(L²)₄][OTf]₄ (3) was found to encapsulate the anionic metal complex [PtCl₄]2- through electrostatic interactions and also via hydrogen bonding with the amino groups of the bridging ligand displayed by this nanocage.
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