New Directions in Supramolecular Macrocycle and Coordination Chemistry

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Self-assembly of building blocks into complex supramolecular structures is an important challenge that may significantly impact many fields. By bridging molecular and biological dimensions, materials with completely new properties can emerge. For example, constructing transistors and other devices from a bottom-up self-assembly of molecules, nanoparticles, and nanofibres may introduce greater complexity and function. During our most recent NSERC Discovery Grant, we have made several significant contributions to the field of supramolecular chemistry, including development of chiral nanostructured glasses via self-assembly of cellulose, discovery of block copolymer / Prussian Blue nanoworms and capsules, and development of fibres and gels from macrocycle self-assembly. In this proposal, we build on our past accomplishments to investigate the construction of new types of shape-persistent macrocycles by head-to-tail (H2T) assembly. Specifically, macrocycles based on 3 different motifs will be constructed using H2T assembly. We will investigate the supramolecular organization of the molecules using weak non-covalent interactions to generate materials with interesting properties (e.g., liquid crystallinity, porosity, catalysis) and investigate their coordination chemistry. These studies will contribute to the growing field of metallosupramolecular chemistry and will deliver new fundamental insight into the assembly and aggregation of complex inorganic macrocycles. Organizing macrocycles into 1-D stacks is a promising way to produce monodisperse, chemically tunable nanotubes. The long term goal is to use the self-assembled macrocycles as templates for constructing metallic and semiconducting nanowires that may become the part of future computer technology. This Discovery grant will train students at all levels: graduate, undergraduate, and post-doctorate. HQP involved in this work will receive world-class training in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment. In addition to receiving hands-on training on extensive equipment available, the trainees will work on challenging projects that stimulate their curiosity and acumen in science, best preparing them for their careers.