Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Hybrid Metal–Ligand Hydrogen-Bonded (MLHB) Supramolecular Architectures

Despite the prevalence of supramolecular
architectures derived from metal–ligand or hydrogen-bonding
interactions, few studies have focused on the simultaneous use of
these two strategies to form discrete assemblies. Here we report the
use of a supramolecular tecton containing both metal-binding and self-complementary
hydrogen-bonding interactions that upon treatment with metal precursors
assembles into discrete hybrid metal–ligand hydrogen-bonded
assemblies with closed topology. 1H NMR DOSY experiments
established the stability of the structures in solution, and the measured
hydrodynamic radii match those determined crystallographically, suggesting
that the closed topology is maintained both in solution and in the
solid state. Taken together, these results demonstrate the validity
of using both hydrogen-bonding and metal–ligand interactions
to form stable supramolecular architectures.