First decade of π-electronic ion-pairing assemblies

Abstract

Ion-pairing assemblies consisting of appropriately designed charged π-electronic species afford various functional supramolecular assemblies, including crystals and soft materials; they are formed by the anisotropic arrangement of charged π-electronic species through electrostatic and other weak noncovalent interactions. The design, synthesis and combination of charged π-electronic species (ion-pair formation) are crucial for the preparation of functional dimension-controlled assemblies. This article includes the prologue and progress of ion-pairing assemblies comprising π-electronic ions. Synthesis of π-electronic ions, preparation of ion pairs, fabrication of assemblies as crystals, gels and liquid crystals and their characteristic properties are summarized.