A 10-nm-sized multicompartment cuboctahedron and its 2D hierarchical arrays observed by cryo-EM
Journal
Chem
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
2
Pages
494-507
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
Quantitative self-assembly of three-dimensional (3D) giant molecules (>10 nm in diameter) with well-defined geometry remains an outstanding synthetic challenge. Here, we report the rational construction of a 10-nm-sized cuboctahedron using dynamic heteroleptic complexation and multivalent ligand design. The obtained molecular cuboctahedron contains a double-layered multicompartment structure, reminiscent of a self-balanced cable-strut tensile architecture. Its precisely designed shape and size lead to the hierarchical self-assembly into ordered square arrays with a lattice constant of 7.9 nm. Additionally, the local structures, such as dislocations and grain boundaries of packing domains, are also recognized by cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), which interrupt the regular patterns of square lattices and then result in the oblique arrays. The observed assembly of the giant cuboctahedra into supramolecular arrays provides a foundation for the bottom-up development of uniform two-dimensional (2D) materials. ? 2021 Elsevier Inc.
Subjects
heteroleptic complexation
molecular cuboctahedra
multivalency
SDG9: Industry innovation and infrastructure
self-assembly
supramolecular arrays
terpyridines
Type
journal article