Hierarchical supramolecules and organization using boronic acid building blocks

Current progress on hierarchical supramolecules using boronic acids has been highlighted in this feature article. Boronic acids can participate in “click reactions” with diols and their congeners with dynamic covalent functionality. By comprehensively exploring versatile sequential boronate esterification linkages between plural boronic acid-appended molecules and multiple hydroxyl counterparts, not only versatile supramolecular polymers but also structurally well-defined network nanostructures have been developed. In addition orthogonal interactions such as dative bonds of the boron center with Lewis bases have led to the formation of hierarchical nano/microstructures. Boronate systems have the potential to be used as materials for smart gels, chemosensors, active architectures for electronics, heterogeneous catalysts, chemical-stimulus responsive systems for drug delivery, etc. Here, we fully discuss the feasibility of the structure-directing ability of boronic acids from the standpoint of the generation of new smart materials.