Anion-Coordination-Driven Assembly: From Discrete Supramolecular Self-Assemblies to Functional Soft Materials

Anion templated assembly of supramolecular systems has been extensively explored in previous reports, whereas anions serve only as an auxiliary and spectator role. With the development of anion coordination chemistry in recent years, anion coordination-driven assembly (ACDA) has emerged as a new strategy for the construction of supramolecular self-assemblies. Anions are proved to exist as the main actors in the construction of supramolecular architectures, i. e., serve as the coordination center. This Review will focus on the recent progress in anion-coordination-driven assembly of discrete supramolecular architectures, such as helicates, polyhedrons and polygons, and the various applications of 'aniono'-systems. At the end of this Review, we highlight current challenges and opportunities for future research of anion-coordination-driven self-assembly.