Metal-Ligand Polyhedra: Difference between revisions
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==Significance== | ==Significance== | ||
Metal-ligand polyhedra could serve as nanoreactors containing a chemically defined nano-environment. Similar polyhedra have been constructed from ligands with covalent adducts facing the interior. | Metal-ligand polyhedra could serve as nanoreactors containing a chemically defined nano-environment. Similar polyhedra have been constructed from ligands with covalent adducts facing the interior: "endohedral functionalization". In one case, 24 perfluoroalkyl chains were caged in an M12L24 polyhedron, forming a fluorous phase potentially useful for separation, purification, or reaction control in organic syntheses<ref>PMID: 16946067</ref>. In addition, the surfaces of such polyhedra have been decorated with attached groups. Photoresponsive nanoparticles and other functionalizations have been demonstrated<ref>PMID: 20508119</ref>. | ||
More generally, self-assembly of metal-ligand polyhedra demonstrates emergent behavior, in which microscopic differences lead to macroscopic differences. Such self-assembly is reminiscent of the assembly of virus capsids and other biological structures. | More generally, self-assembly of metal-ligand polyhedra demonstrates emergent behavior, in which microscopic differences lead to macroscopic differences. Such self-assembly is reminiscent of the assembly of virus capsids and other biological structures. | ||