Mechanistic Insights into Statistical Co-Assembly of Metal Complexes

Abstract

Statistical copolymerization plays a key role in many biological and technological processes; however, mechanistic understanding of the formation of analogous supramolecular counterparts remains limited. Herein, we report detailed insights into the supramolecular co-assembly of two π-conjugated Pd^II and Pt^II complexes, which in isolation self-assemble into flexible fibers and nanodisks, respectively. An efficient single-step co-assembly into only one type of nanostructure (fibers or nanodisks) takes place if any of the components is in excess. In contrast, equimolar mixtures lead to Pd^II -rich fiber-like co-assemblies by a statistical co-nucleation event along with a residual amount of self-sorted nanodisks in a stepwise manner.

Keywords: PtII complexes; self-assembly; self-sorting; supramolecular polymers; π-conjugated systems.