Stacking-interaction-induced host–guest chemistry and Borromean rings based on a polypyridyl ligand

Abstract

Template-free molecular Borromean rings (BRs) and open-ended molecular capsules were realized by strategic selection of the polypyridyl ligand tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c:3′′,2′′-h:2′′′,3′′′-j] phenazine (TPPHZ) with a large surface area and specific geometry. The topology of these intricate architectures was constructed via precisely controlled stacking interactions, as evidenced from single-crystal X-ray analysis.