Controlled 2D Assembly of Nickel-Seamed Hexameric Pyrogallol[4]arene Nanocapsules

The two-dimensional framework of
nickel-seamed hexameric metal–organic
nanocapsules has been synthesized by connecting the tailed hydroxyl
groups of C-propan-3-ol pyrogallol[4]­arene with adjacent
hexameric capsules via nickel-hydroxyl coordination. In addition,
functionalization of nanocapsules with multiple pyridine molecules
at the capsule surface prevents them from assembling into hierarchical
structures and leads to the formation of discrete nickel-seamed pyrogallol[4]­arene
nanocapsules. This work shows that surface functionalization of nanocapsules
is an effective and innovative method of controlling the assembly
of these nanometric building blocks.