Simultaneous Generation of a [2 × 2] Grid-Like Complex and a Linear Double Helicate: a Three-Level Self-Sorting Process

Two constitutional dynamic libraries
(CDLs)each containing
two amines, two dialdehydes, and two metal saltshave been
found to self-sort, generating two pairs of imine-based metallosupramolecular
architectures (sharing no component) each with a [2 × 2] grid-like
complex and a linear double helicate. These CDLs provided unique examples
of a three-level self-sorting process, as only two imine-based ligand
constituents, two metal complexes, and two architectures were selected
during their assembly out of all the possible combinations of their
initial components. The metallosupramolecular architectures assembled
were characterized by NMR, mass spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.