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Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Self-Assembled MOF-Polymer Composites
Published on: June 14, 2024
Transient self-assembly of metal-organic complexes
Jean-François Ayme1, Bernd Bruchmann1, Lydia Karmazin2
1BASF SE, Joint Research Network on Advanced Materials and Systems (JONAS) Carl-Bosch Str. 38 67056 Ludwigshafen Germany jeff.ayme@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Implementing transient processes in networks of dynamic molecules holds great promise for developing new functional behaviours. Here we report that trichloroacetic acid can be used to temporarily rearrange networks of dynamic imine-based metal complexes towards new equilibrium states, forcing them to express complexes otherwise unfavourable in their initial equilibrium states. Basic design principles were determined for the creation of such networks. Where a complex distribution of products was obtained in the initial equilibrium state of the system, the transient rearrangement temporarily yielded a simplified output, forcing a more structured distribution of products. Where a single complex was obtained in the initial equilibrium state of the system, the transient rearrangement temporarily modified the properties of this complex. By doing so, the mechanical properties of an helical macrocyclic complex could be temporarily altered by rearranging it into a [2]catenane.
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