[Cu{SC(O)O i Pr}]96: A Giant Self-Assembled Copper(I) Supramolecular Wheel Exhibiting Photoluminescence Tuning and Correlations with Dynamic Solvation and Solventless Synthesis

• Published in: Inorganic chemistry 2021-06, Vol.60 (12), p.8973-8983
• Main Authors: Gupta, Arvind K, Kishore, Pilli V. V. N, Cyue, Jhih-Yu, Liao, Jian-Hong, Duminy, Welni, van Zyl, Werner E, Liu, C. W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0020-1669; 1520-510X
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c00871

The hierarchical self-organization of structurally complex high-nuclearity metal clusters with metallosupramolecular wheel architectures that are obtained from the self-assembly of smaller solvated cluster units is rare and unique. Here, we use the potentially heteroditopic monothiocarbonate ligand and demonstrate for the first time the synthesis and structure of a solvated non-cyclic hexadecanuclear cluster [Cu­{SC­(O)­O i Pr}]16·2THF (1) that can simultaneously desolvate and self-assemble in solution and subsequently form a giant metallaring, [Cu­{SC­(O)­O i Pr}]96 (2). We also demonstrate a luminescent precursor to cluster (2) can be achieved through a solventless and rapid mechanochemical synthesis. Cluster (2) is the highest nuclearity copper­(I) wheel and the largest metal cluster containing a heterodichalcogen (O, S) ligand reported to date. Cluster (2) also exhibits solid-state luminescence with relatively long emission lifetimes at 4.1, 13.9 (μs). The synthetic strategy described here opens new research avenues by replacing solvent molecules in stable {Cu16} clusters with designed building units that can form new hybrid and multifunctional finite supramolecular materials. This finding may lead to the development of novel high-nuclearity materials self-assembled in a facile manner with tunable optical properties.