Stacking Interactions Induced Selective Conformation of Discrete Aromatic Arrays and Borromean Rings

Herein, we describe
how to utilize stacking interactions to achieve
selective supramolecular transformation and molecular Borromean rings
(BRs). By using a dinuclear naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based Cp*Rh acceptor
and linear bipyridyl ligands, organometallic rectangles featuring
dynamic behavior have been constructed. Unique discrete aromatic stacking
arrays were formed by inducing pyrene units as guest molecules. The
topology of the BRs was realized by the use of a strategically chosen
ligand which was capable of participating in D–A interactions
and hydrogen bonding, as evidenced from single-crystal X-ray analysis
and computational studies. These self-assembly processes underline
the advantages of dynamic bonding and π–π stacking
interactions, and serve to illustrate a new approach to generating
structurally and topologically nontrivial supramolecular architectures.