2D supramolecular assemblies of benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoic acid: temperature-induced phase transformations and hierarchical organization with macrocyclic molecules

Mario Ruben; Dietmar Payer; Aitor Landa; Alessio Comisso; Chiara Gattinoni; Nian Lin; Jean-Paul Collin; Jean-Pierre Sauvage; Alessandro De Vita; Klaus Kern

doi:10.1021/ja063601k

2D supramolecular assemblies of benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoic acid: temperature-induced phase transformations and hierarchical organization with macrocyclic molecules

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 Dec 13;128(49):15644-51. doi: 10.1021/ja063601k.

Authors

Mario Ruben¹, Dietmar Payer, Aitor Landa, Alessio Comisso, Chiara Gattinoni, Nian Lin, Jean-Paul Collin, Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Alessandro De Vita, Klaus Kern

Affiliation

¹ Institut für Nanotechnologie, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, PF 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. [email protected]

PMID: 17147373
DOI: 10.1021/ja063601k

Abstract

Two-dimensional supramolecular honeycomb networks with cavities of an internal diameter of 2.95 nm were formed by the self-assembly of 4,4',4' '-benzene-1,3,5-triyl-tribenzoic acid (BTA) on a Ag(111) surface at room temperature. Annealing to higher temperatures resulted in two sequential phase transformations into closer-packed supramolecular arrangements. The phase transformations are associated with stepwise deprotonation of the carboxylic acid groups. The voids of the honeycomb network of BTA have a suitable size for the construction of hierarchical structures with guest molecules. Single molecules of the macrocyclic compound mt-33 were successfully confined inside 2D nanocavities of the honeycomb networks and released when the phase was transformed to the close-packed structure.